DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.6551#0121
88
OPERATIONS CARRIED OX AT GIZEII.
persons in a kneeling position, with their arms tied
behind them to a stake surmounted by a jackall's head.
In one instance I observed a row of kneeling figures,
each of whom was held down
by a priestess, whilst the blood
spouted out, like a fountain, from
the top of his head into a cup
or basin placed before him. One
of these victims appeared to be
struggling with two priestesses, and
endeavouring to escape. There is,
therefore, little doubt that human
sacrifices are represented by these designs, and that they
formed part of the sepulchral rites of persons of con-
sequence ; a conclusion to which Mr. Hamilton also
appears to have arrived. The several divinities, it may
be added, are represented in the usual forms, but gene-
rally with more decorous emblems than in the temples,
and other buildings. A child in the character of Harpo-
crates seated on a winged globe, is supposed by Mr. Wil-
kinson to typify regeneration after death, and another
figure seems to be rising out of a tomb at the command
of a divinity; I shall not however attempt even a general
description of these interesting paintings, as it would not
only require considerable detail, but much more observa-
tion than I had time to bestow upon them.
2d. — Sig. Werdie was so good as to shew me his
collection, which contained a number of interesting an-
tiquities, amongst which were some very handsome
mummies, and several buff embroidered scarfs which
were considered extremely antient, but which appeared
OPERATIONS CARRIED OX AT GIZEII.
persons in a kneeling position, with their arms tied
behind them to a stake surmounted by a jackall's head.
In one instance I observed a row of kneeling figures,
each of whom was held down
by a priestess, whilst the blood
spouted out, like a fountain, from
the top of his head into a cup
or basin placed before him. One
of these victims appeared to be
struggling with two priestesses, and
endeavouring to escape. There is,
therefore, little doubt that human
sacrifices are represented by these designs, and that they
formed part of the sepulchral rites of persons of con-
sequence ; a conclusion to which Mr. Hamilton also
appears to have arrived. The several divinities, it may
be added, are represented in the usual forms, but gene-
rally with more decorous emblems than in the temples,
and other buildings. A child in the character of Harpo-
crates seated on a winged globe, is supposed by Mr. Wil-
kinson to typify regeneration after death, and another
figure seems to be rising out of a tomb at the command
of a divinity; I shall not however attempt even a general
description of these interesting paintings, as it would not
only require considerable detail, but much more observa-
tion than I had time to bestow upon them.
2d. — Sig. Werdie was so good as to shew me his
collection, which contained a number of interesting an-
tiquities, amongst which were some very handsome
mummies, and several buff embroidered scarfs which
were considered extremely antient, but which appeared