DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.3332#0033
THE CBMETEET.
29
3. Other furniture of the tomb. Alabastra
were often found, both of alabaster, often so
corroded by damp as to be mere skeletons, and
of other materials made in imitation, whether
terra-cotta or faience. In one grave were
found two massive and shallow bowls of
alabaster, narrowing at the top; two or three
lecythi of alabaster came to light. A leaden
bottle too was discovered, and several pieces of
lead; also several large shells which must have
been used for some practical purpose, probably
to hold food or other necessaries. Two or
three of these were plain tridacna shells. Here
may be mentioned some curious minute saucers,
sometimes with two handles, and lamps of
various periods and shapes, including most of
the prevalent Greek types. In one case an iron
spear-head was found, but this was exceptional.
Two or three graves yielded small amulets in
bone or faience, representing the god Bes.
Many large iron and bronze nails had doubtless
once served to hold together the wooden coffins.
In only two or three cases terra-cotta statuettes
were found. The two best examples are re-
produced upon PL XVI. 16, 18. One is a
single figure of a boy ; the other a group of
Bros and Psyche, worked as in relief, and
hollow at the back. On this some traces of
gilding and colour remained.
(29) But it would be tedious to carry this
enumeration into further details. Enough has
been said to indicate the nature of the objects
discovered, and to show that they date mostly
from a time when Naukratis was already declin-
ing. But though we may not have gained from
the cemetery, or this part of it, the results
that might have been hoped for, it may perhaps
have yielded some results that are not without
their interest.
29
3. Other furniture of the tomb. Alabastra
were often found, both of alabaster, often so
corroded by damp as to be mere skeletons, and
of other materials made in imitation, whether
terra-cotta or faience. In one grave were
found two massive and shallow bowls of
alabaster, narrowing at the top; two or three
lecythi of alabaster came to light. A leaden
bottle too was discovered, and several pieces of
lead; also several large shells which must have
been used for some practical purpose, probably
to hold food or other necessaries. Two or
three of these were plain tridacna shells. Here
may be mentioned some curious minute saucers,
sometimes with two handles, and lamps of
various periods and shapes, including most of
the prevalent Greek types. In one case an iron
spear-head was found, but this was exceptional.
Two or three graves yielded small amulets in
bone or faience, representing the god Bes.
Many large iron and bronze nails had doubtless
once served to hold together the wooden coffins.
In only two or three cases terra-cotta statuettes
were found. The two best examples are re-
produced upon PL XVI. 16, 18. One is a
single figure of a boy ; the other a group of
Bros and Psyche, worked as in relief, and
hollow at the back. On this some traces of
gilding and colour remained.
(29) But it would be tedious to carry this
enumeration into further details. Enough has
been said to indicate the nature of the objects
discovered, and to show that they date mostly
from a time when Naukratis was already declin-
ing. But though we may not have gained from
the cemetery, or this part of it, the results
that might have been hoped for, it may perhaps
have yielded some results that are not without
their interest.