E.—FROM TOORA, ON THE NILE.
Plate [II]., Fig. 9. (Cat. 840.) Skull of a man from the ancient quarries at Toora, opposite Memphis, on the east bank of the Nile, about seven miles above Cairo. From this place the stones were obtained for building the Pyramids of Gizeh, and many later structures, down to the epoch of the Ptolemies. Mr. Gliddon was present at the exhumation of several of these crania, yet, owing to their extremely fragile state, but one reached me in safety, and for this I am indebted to the kindness of Mr. Mash. They were found in rude sarcophagi of limestone, and wrapped in coarse matting. These remains, which were discovered in 1837-38, are supposed to have pertained to the master-quarrymen.
The head figured is of an elongated oval form, with a moderate frontal development and low coronal region. The nose is strongly salient and aquiline, and the whole cranial structure thin and delicate.—I. C. 89 cubic inches. F. A. 79°. Pelasgic form.
Remarks on the preceding series of Crania.—A mere glance at this group of skulls will satisfy any one accustomed to comparisons of this kind, that most of them possess the Caucasian traits in a most striking and unequivocal manner, whether we regard their form, size, or facial angle. It is, in fact, questionable whether a greater proportion of beautifully moulded heads would be found among an equal number of individuals taken at random from any existing European nation. The entire series consists of sixteen examples of the Pelasgic and seven of the Egyptian form, a single Semitic head, one of the Negroid variety, and one of mixed conformation. Of the antiquity of these remains there can be no question; and with respect to a part of them, those from the Pyramid of Five Steps, we have evidence of a more precise character.
These most ancient mummies appear to have been prepared with but little bitumen, and to have undergone desiccation by some primitive and simple process of embalming; such, for example, as first saturating the body in natron, and then subjecting it to heat in an oven. It is also to be remarked, that in these two heads the brain has not been removed through the nostrils, according to the general custom, for the ethmoid bone is unbroken; and the cranial contents could therefore only have been withdrawn through the foramen magnum at the base of the skull.
This last remark also applies to sixteen other heads of this series; whence I was at first led to suppose that they could not pertain to a very remote epoch. But when we find that the oldest remains are similarly characterized, and bear in mind that the removal of the brain through the nose was a conventional part of the more perfect art of embalming, may we not suppose that this imperforate state of the cranium points to an early epoch of Egyptian history, before mankind had resorted to those elaborate methods of preserving the dead body which are so remarkable in the Theban catacombs? It has been conjectured, that the proximity of the Natron Lakes to the city of Memphis gave rise to the custom of embalming; and it is not an improbable supposition that the profuse employment of bitumen was a subsequent refinement of the art. This suggestion derives some support from another fact; namely, that in every instance in which I have observed the brain to have been removed through the nose, the bones and integuments are much more charged with bitumen than in the imperforate crania.
It may, perhaps, be conjectured by some that the Pelasgic heads of this series belong to the Ptolemaic epoch, and hence pertain to the Greek inhabitants of that age: but it must be remembered that the rule of the Ptolemies lasted but about three hundred years; whereas the Egyptians were themselves the masters of Memphis, and entombed their dead in its necropolis more than two thousand years before either the Persians or Greeks effected the conquest of the country, no less than during the period of and after these epochs of foreign domination.
Of the sixteen adult Pelasgic skulls in this series, two or three are small; yet the whole number gives about 88 cubic inches for the average internal capacity of the cranium, or size of the brain, while the mean of the facial angle is 80°. The seven Egyptian crania have a mean internal capacity of 80 cubic inches, and a facial angle of 77°.
SECOND SERIES.
FOUR HEADS FROM THE GROTTOES OF MAABDEH, NEAR MAGARAT-ES-SAMÒUN.
This is the name of a series of sepulchral grottoes in Middle Egypt, on the limestone hill opposite Manfaloot, and near the modern village of Maabdeh. It is within the ancient nome of Heracleopolis. This cemetery is a natural cavern, which was chiefly dedicated to embalmed crocodiles, but in some measure, also, to man. Mr. Gliddon observes that the human mummies are of the common order, and adds: “I brought them from a measured distance of 438 feet under ground, horizontally, averaging about twenty feet below the surface.”
Plate [IV]., Fig. 1. (Cat. 833.) A large, oval head, with a very low, receding forehead, and large, aquiline nose. A man of 35 years? The hair is long, soft, and curling, and the beard is partially preserved on the lower jaw. Pelasgic form?
This person has been much disfigured by ulceration of the cartilage of the nose and the adjacent integuments; part of the upper lip has been removed by the disease, which appears partially on the lower jaw, and may account for the beard not having been shaved. The embalming process has been very carefully conducted. Large lozenge-shaped patches of gold-leaf are seen on the centre of the forehead and over each eye, with smaller pieces dispersed in other places, and especially on the bone and teeth of the upper jaw, where these have been denuded or exposed by ulceration.
Plate [IV]., Fig. 2. (Cat. 834.) A female head, of a short, oval form, with a narrow, receding forehead, prominent nose, and very protruding maxillæ. The teeth, which are salient, indicate a person of 25 or 30 years of age; and the lower jaw, which is very angular, has a remarkable downward projection. The hair was long, but harsh, and was necessarily removed with the integuments, on account of the imperfect nature of the embalmment, which appeared to have been effected with a soft or tar-like bitumen. Negroid form.
Plate [IV]., Fig. 3. (Cat. 835.) A woman of 30? with a long, narrow head, slightly salient nose, and very projecting face. The hair is eight or ten inches long, harsh, but not wiry. Negroid form. I.C. 71 cubic inches. F.A. 73°.
Plate [IV]., Fig. 4. (Cat. 836.) A female head of a fine oval form, with a broad, convex forehead, low coronal region, and strongly aquiline nose. This head retains a profusion of long, fine, curling hair, and the face is gilded over the eyes and lips. This is a striking example of the tumid face which is not unfrequently seen on the monuments. Egyptian form.
Remarks.—The two Negroid heads belong, obviously, to the lower class of people, for the bodies have been hastily and imperfectly embalmed, without mummy cases, and in ordinary wrappings. The two latter remarks apply to the other individuals of this series, which have, nevertheless, been much more carefully embalmed.
THIRD SERIES.
FOUR SKULLS FROM ABYDOS.
The city of Abydos, the second in size in the Thebaid, was on the west bank of the Nile, and, like Thebes, possessed a palace of Rameses III., and a temple of Osiris, the guardian divinity of the city.
Plate [V]., Fig. 1, (Cat. 819.) An elongated head, with an indifferent frontal and low coronal region, straight nose, small orbits, and prominent upper jaw.—I. C. 85 cubic inches. F. A. 79°. Egyptian form.
Plate [V]., Fig. 2. (Cat. 820.) A large and finely moulded cranium, with a broad, full forehead, and long, but abruptly salient nose. The upper jaw has a remarkable downward elongation, which reduces the F. A. to 76°.—I. C. 96 cubic inches. A man of 40. Egyptian form.
Plate [V]., Fig. 3. (Cat. 817.) A large, beautifully developed cranium, of harmonious proportions, but somewhat ponderous structure.—I. C. 89 cubic inches. F. A. 80°. Pelasgic form.
Plate [V]., Fig. 4. (Cat. 818.) A small head, narrow and retreating, with a tumid occiput, very large, aquiline nose, and delicate, prominent face.—I. C. 69 cubic inches. F. A. 77°. Semitic form.
Remarks.—In a memorandum accompanying these skulls, Mr. Gliddon observes that “they were obtained from a mummy-pit behind the temple of Rameses III., and they belong to the best class. Among the relics found in the same pit were a scarabæus, bearing the prenomen of Thotmes IV., and a piece of stamped pottery, (apparently enclosed with a mummy to denote the epoch,) which bore the nomen of Rameses III. It may, therefore, be reasonably conjectured, that these remains belong to the eighteenth Diospolitan dynasty, fixed by Professor Rosellini between the years 1822 and 1874, B.C.”
The four heads are entirely denuded, but little appearance of bitumen remaining; nor is the ethmoid bone perforated. The bones bear the impress of age, and, in one instance, have become softened, and almost friable, from decomposition.
FOURTH SERIES.
FIFTY-FIVE HEADS FROM THE CATACOMBS OF THEBES.
The greater part of this extensive and singularly perfect and varied series of heads, was collected by Mr. Gliddon during two visits to Thebes. They were all taken from the catacombs at El Gourna, on the western bank of the Nile. If we may judge by the different degrees of care manifested in the embalming process, they embrace individuals of every class excepting the highest and lowest; for the latter, according to the testimony of Herodotus, were never embalmed in the proper sense of that word; and the former were deposited in more elaborate sepulchres.
Plate [VI]., Fig. 1. (Cat. 860.) A man of fifty, with a small but well proportioned cranium. The bones of the face are small, and the whole osseous structure very thin.—I. C. 80 cubic inches. F. A. 82°. Egyptian form.
(Cat. 853.) Head of a man of fifty, with a low coronal region, receding forehead, full occiput, aquiline nose, and remarkable flatness beneath the temporal muscles.—I. C. 95 cubic inches. Egyptian form.
Plate [VI]., Fig 2. (Cat. 865.) An oval head with a full but retreating forehead, a large, aquiline nose, and angular, prominent face. The eyes are embalmed open. Semitic form.
Plate [VI]., Fig. 3. (Cat. 893.) A singularly thin cranium, especially in the lateral parietal regions. The forehead is moderately expanded and the nose straight.—I. C. 85 cubic inches. F. A. 81°. Pelasgic form.
Plate [VI]., Fig. 4. (Cat. 850.) A large oval cranium, with a voluminous forehead, a small aquiline nose, and rounded orbits. Age, seventy to eighty years?—I. C. 86 cubic inches. Pelasgic form.
Plate [VI]., Fig. 5. (Cat. 859.) An octogenarian female, with a small but well proportioned head, and delicate facial bones. This cranium, which is remarkable for its tenuity, retains a very little smooth, long hair.—I. C. 82 cubic inches. Pelasgic form.
Plate [VI]., Fig. 6. (Cat. 881.) Skull of a female not exceeding seventeen years of age, with a beautifully developed forehead, and delicate facial bones, yet possessing an obvious downward elongation of the upper jaw, as in the Hindoo.—I. C. 71 cubic inches. F. A. 80°. Egyptian form.
Plate [VI]., Fig. 7. (Cat. 889.) A well formed, oval head, with a remarkably prominent nose and chin.—I. C. 83 cubic inches. F. A. 83°. Egyptian form.
Plate [VI]., Fig. 8. (Cat. 870.) A long oval cranium, with a broad, receding forehead, tumid occiput, very long aquiline nose, and sharp features. The hair, which is cut close, is brown and silky.—I. C. 79 cubic inches. A man of thirty? Semitic form.
Plate [VI]., Fig. 9. (Cat. 876.) A small, but oval male head, with hair of a fine texture and brown colour.—I. C. 83 cubic inches. Egyptian form.
Plate [VII]., Fig. 1. (Cat. 851.) A narrow, elongated cranium, with a retreating forehead, and rather produced maxillæ. The whole osseous structure is remarkably delicate. A woman of thirty-five?—I. C. 79 cubic inches. F. A. 80°. Egyptian form.
Plate [VII]., Fig. 2. (Cat. 861.) Skull of a man of fifty, large and massive: forehead and coronal region but moderately developed; face projecting, with a small, aquiline nose.—I. C. 91 cubic inches. F. A. 78°. Egyptian form.
Plate [VII]., Fig. 3. (Cat. 857.) A female cranium, long, narrow, and much flattened at the sides, and rather ponderous. The whole face is long, angular, and prominent, with a slight yet manifest negro expression. A little hair remains, long, black, and smooth.—I. C. 83 cubic inches. F. A. 77°. Egyptian, blended with the Negro form?
Plate [VII]., Fig. 4. (Cat. 848.) A female head, with a narrow but elevated and finely arched frontal region, which forms, with the straight nose, something of a Grecian profile. The face, however, is not in keeping with the head, being much produced.—I. C. 82 cubic inches. F. A. 80°. Egyptian form.
Plate [VII]., Fig. 5. (Cat. 847.) A small head, narrow and laterally compressed, with a well formed forehead, and full occiput. The nose is very large and salient, and the maxillary structure much produced. A woman of thirty.—I. C. 68 cubic inches. F. A. 76°. Egyptian form.
Plate [VII]., Fig. 6. (Cat. 854.) A small but well proportioned cranium of a female not exceeding fifteen years of age. The forehead is full (by an oversight inadequately represented in the drawing,) and the whole of the osseous structure extremely delicate. Egyptian form.
(Cat. 849.) Skull of a man of twenty-five years, finely oval, with a broad receding forehead, and full coronal region. Facial bones broken.—I. C. 81 cubic inches. Egyptian form.
(Cat. 894.) A beautiful juvenile head, with a broad high forehead, large, prominent nose, and oval orbits. Pelasgic form.
(Cat. 887.) A child of twelve or fourteen years, with a finely turned forehead, long, aquiline nose, and vertical teeth. A little long, fine hair remains on the occiput. Egyptian form.
(Cat. 868.) Skull of a child of beautiful organization, excepting a slight inequality in the occipital region. Pelasgic form.
Plate [VIII]., Fig. 1. (Cat. 878.) An elongated head, with a broad receding forehead, long and nearly straight nose, and prominent chin. This person has been most carefully embalmed, with a profusion of gilding on various parts of the face. The hair is soft and curling, and of a dark-brown colour. A man of fifty?—I. C. 77 cubic inches. Egyptian form.
Plate [VIII]., Fig. 2. (Cat. 879.) A man of fifty, admirably embalmed. A broad and full, but receding forehead, a large aquiline nose, and strong maxillæ. Pelasgic head of the Roman conformation.
Plate [VIII]., Fig. 3. (Cat. 839.) A short-oval cranium, with a full but retreating forehead, straight nose, and large prominent maxillæ.—I. C. 74 cubic inches. F. A. 78°. Egyptian blended with the Negro form?
Plate [VIII]., Fig. 4. (Cat. 871.) A juvenile female head, with a full but receding frontal region, long nose, sharp features, tumid occiput, and rounded orbits. Egyptian form.
Plate [VIII]., Fig. 5. (Cat. 866.) A small, juvenile, female head, with a convex but retreating forehead, and the whole face remarkably sharp, projecting, and repulsive. This head is elaborately gilded, and retains a portion of long, fine, smooth hair. Egyptian form?
(Cat. 873.) An oval cranium, with a good frontal region, and salient nasal bones. The alveoli have been almost destroyed by absorption consequent to advanced age.—I. C. 88 cubic inches. Pelasgic form?
Plate [VIII]., Fig. 6. (Cat. 883.) A well-developed cranium, with a long straight nose. A man of forty?—I. C. 82 cubic inches. F. A. 81°. Egyptian form.
(Cat. 888.) Head of a man of thirty-five years? most carefully embalmed, with a high frontal region, and very long prominent angular face.—I. C. 85 cubic inches. Egyptian blended with Negro or Malay lineaments? The conformation of this head is not unlike that of some modern Nubians.
Plate [VIII]., Fig. 7. (Cat. 880.) A female head? of a fine oval form, long, straight nose, and quadrangular orbits. The angles of the lower jaw are remarkably expanded. The hair, which is cut short, is fine, and of a dark-brown colour.—I. C. 85 cubic inches. F. A. 80°. Egyptian form.
Plate [VIII]., Fig. 8. (Cat. 867.) A large head with a broad convex frontal region, and full occiput. The nose is large and remarkably salient, and the maxillary bones projecting and ponderous. A little soft, dark-brown hair is attached to some remaining fragments of the scalp.—I. C. 86 cubic inches. F. A. 78°. Egyptian form.
This person has evidently undergone decapitation, and in order to attach the head again to the body, a ball of mummy cloth has been formed on the end of a piece of reed within the cranium, and the other end has been thrust between the spine and adjacent muscles, and confined there by bandages. There is also an excision of the occipital protuberance, by means of an axe or other sharp instrument, seemingly made by an unskilful effort to sever the head from the body.
Plate [VIII]., Fig. 9. (Cat. 855.) Head of a female not exceeding eighteen years of age, with a finely developed forehead, very long aquiline nose, small but prominent face, and very peculiar features. Hair, dark-brown, and extremely fine. The face is gilded.—I. C. 78 cubic inches. Egyptian form.
(Cat. 874.) Head of a child of nine or ten years, closely shaved and elaborately gilded, with a high, full forehead, projecting jaws, and oblique teeth. Egyptian blended with the Negro form?
(Cat. 48.) Skull of a child of eight years, with a fine frontal region, but rather prominent face. Hair long, and of a dark-brown colour. Egyptian form.
Plate [IX]. (Cat. 856.) A cranium of harmonious proportions, with a fine forehead, gently aquiline nose, delicate facial bones, and perfect teeth. A man of thirty?—I. C. 92 cubic inches. F. A. 80°. Egypto-Pelasgic form.
Plate [X]., Fig. 1. (Cat. 844.) A finely formed female head, with a straight nose, and delicate facial bones. Hair abundant, soft, and curling.—I. C. 68 cubic inches. Egyptian form.
Plate [X]., Fig. 2. (Cat. 872.) A woman of fifty?—with a low receding forehead, and prominent facial structure. Hair abundant, long, and very fine, of a light brown or auburn colour, and elaborately curled and platted.—I. C. 72 cubic inches. Egyptian form.
Plate [X]., Fig. 3. (Cat. 862.) Head of a man of sixty, with a broad receding forehead, salient nose and light facial bones. Hair, long, soft, and curling.—I. C. 79 cubic inches. Egyptian form.
Plate [X]., Fig. 4. (Cat. 843.) Head of a woman of thirty? most carefully embalmed; with a full forehead, very long, straight nose, and sharp delicate features, but prominent face. There is a profusion of long, brown, curling hair.—I. C. 74 cubic inches. Egyptian form.
Plate [X]., Fig. 5. (Cat. 877.) Head of a man with a broad receding forehead, salient nose, and delicate features. Hair, dark-brown, smooth and curling. The beard, though short, is preserved.—I. C. 89 cubic inches. Egyptian form.
Plate [X]., Fig. 6. (Cat. 60.) Head of a female not exceeding eighteen years of age, with a low forehead, long, straight nose, and rather prominent face. Hair long and fine. This style of head is very common on the Egyptian monuments. Egyptian form.
Plate [X]., Fig. 7. (Cat. 882.) Head of a young girl, with a very prominent nose, and long, smooth, curling hair: gilding on the eyelids and nose. Egyptian form.
Plate [X]., Fig. 8. (Cat. 884.) Head of a woman of thirty, of a faultless Caucasian mould. The hair, which is in profusion, is of a dark-brown tint, and delicately curled. Pelasgic form.
Plate [X]., Fig. 9. (Cat. 875.) A small female head, of seventy? years, with a fine frontal development, straight nose, and large oval orbits. The long, curling hair is of a yellowish colour, but has probably been gray, and dyed by henna.—I. C. 73 cubic inches. Egyptian form.
Plate [XI]., Fig. 1. (Cat. 846.) Head of a youth of about eighteen years, with a remarkably broad and lofty forehead, a small straight nose, and delicately formed face. A little smooth, dark hair remains, and the whole has been elaborately embalmed, with a profusion of gilding on the face.—I. C. 87 cubic inches. This is one of the most perfectly formed heads that have ever come under my notice, yet the eyes are widely separated, the distance between the nose and mouth is remarkable, and the chin is short and receding. Egypto-Pelasgic form.
Plate [XI]., Fig. 2. (Cat. 842.) Head of a man of about fifty years of age, with a broad but very low and receding forehead. The nose is very large, and strongly aquiline, the teeth vertical and much worn, the cheek bones prominent, and the whole face remarkable for harshness of expression. A little brown hair remains on the occiput.—I. C. 85 cubic inches. Semitic form.
This head possesses great interest, on account of its decided Hebrew features, of which many examples are extant upon the monuments.
(Cat. 886.) Head of a man of fifty? small but well proportioned throughout. The teeth, which are vertical, are remarkably worn by attrition.—I. C. 76 cubic inches. Egyptian form.
Plate [XII]., Figs. 1, 2. (Cat. 845.) An oval head with a full forehead, and long aquiline nose. The orbits are far apart, and the balls replaced with bone, on which the iris is distinctly painted. The hair, which is cut short, is fine and straight.—I. C. 73 cubic inches. This head has something of the Semitic character, both as respects configuration and expression, and I class it, though with some hesitation, with that series.