DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.17#0130
PYRAMIDS AND PROGRESS.
(The inscription wa
deciphered by
Dr. Borchardt.)
There are vast mounds at Abydos
and in its neighbourhood, the ruins of
ancient cities, as yet unexplored.
Mariette unearthed the temples of Seti
and Ramses, which though not as old
as Mena's time, yet can show a very
respectable antiquity (1370 b.c.), and
have the most beautiful sculptures to be
found in Egypt, and the most wonderful
genealogical record in the world—-the
Tablet of Abydos. The first time I
visited it we had glorious weather and a delightful ride from the Nile bank
through richly cultivated fields, among flocks and herds of fine cattle. Many
villages were passed, with tall, fruitful date palms, and crowds of comfortable-
looking peasants. A busy fair had been held that morning, and everyone seemed
happy and contented with their sales or purchases. No " baksheesh " was
demanded of us, showing how well off the people were. This district is
infested with multitudes of small birds which prey upon the crops, and many
towers are erected through the fields, on which boys are perched with slings to
frighten off the marauders. These slings we were importuned to buy ; they were
made of palm fibre, and seemed effective weapons for the purpose in the hands
of those who knew how to use them. No doubt the youthful David killed
Goliath with an exactly similar sling.
During another visit we experienced a sandstorm on the way. The dry,
black, dusty earth was caught up by the fierce wind, and blotted out the land-
scape. Our donkeys could scarcely proceed, and vainly sought shelter
against any wall or projecting structure. The black dust seemed to penetrate
eyes, ears, and nostrils, and we were breathing the land of Egypt into our throats
and lungs, while our faces were so grimed with
dirt that we were like mummies as to com-
plexion. Fortunately we had only half-an-
hour of it, but I suppose we rode through
the sandstorm, for the sky cleared, and we
saw the black clouds roll away towards the
river. In a rainless land there are other
atmospheric disturbances worse than a good
wetting of the temperate zone. The natives
squat down and throw their draperies over
their heads on the approach of a sandstorm.
SETI OFFERING TO THE GODDESS
OF TRUTH.
{Templi of Abydos.}
(The inscription wa
deciphered by
Dr. Borchardt.)
There are vast mounds at Abydos
and in its neighbourhood, the ruins of
ancient cities, as yet unexplored.
Mariette unearthed the temples of Seti
and Ramses, which though not as old
as Mena's time, yet can show a very
respectable antiquity (1370 b.c.), and
have the most beautiful sculptures to be
found in Egypt, and the most wonderful
genealogical record in the world—-the
Tablet of Abydos. The first time I
visited it we had glorious weather and a delightful ride from the Nile bank
through richly cultivated fields, among flocks and herds of fine cattle. Many
villages were passed, with tall, fruitful date palms, and crowds of comfortable-
looking peasants. A busy fair had been held that morning, and everyone seemed
happy and contented with their sales or purchases. No " baksheesh " was
demanded of us, showing how well off the people were. This district is
infested with multitudes of small birds which prey upon the crops, and many
towers are erected through the fields, on which boys are perched with slings to
frighten off the marauders. These slings we were importuned to buy ; they were
made of palm fibre, and seemed effective weapons for the purpose in the hands
of those who knew how to use them. No doubt the youthful David killed
Goliath with an exactly similar sling.
During another visit we experienced a sandstorm on the way. The dry,
black, dusty earth was caught up by the fierce wind, and blotted out the land-
scape. Our donkeys could scarcely proceed, and vainly sought shelter
against any wall or projecting structure. The black dust seemed to penetrate
eyes, ears, and nostrils, and we were breathing the land of Egypt into our throats
and lungs, while our faces were so grimed with
dirt that we were like mummies as to com-
plexion. Fortunately we had only half-an-
hour of it, but I suppose we rode through
the sandstorm, for the sky cleared, and we
saw the black clouds roll away towards the
river. In a rainless land there are other
atmospheric disturbances worse than a good
wetting of the temperate zone. The natives
squat down and throw their draperies over
their heads on the approach of a sandstorm.
SETI OFFERING TO THE GODDESS
OF TRUTH.
{Templi of Abydos.}