large number of important tombs, chiefly of the XVIIIth dynasty. (3) Ķurnet Murrai, which contains the Tombs of the Queens, and the tombs of many of the officials of the XIXth and XXth dynasties.

The tombs of Shekh 'Abd al-Kûrna are extremely interesting, for in many of them are depicted events which took place under the rule of the greatest of the kings of the XVIIIth dynasty, and they illustrate scenes in the public and private life of some of the officials who played a prominent part in the development of Theban conquest and civilization. The tombs in their leading features resemble each other, and there is at times a sameness in the subjects represented, and even in the treatment of them. The scenes depicted comprise representations of agricultural operations, of the amusements of the deceased, of festivals and banquets, of official functions in which the deceased played a prominent part-e.g., in the receipt of tribute from vassal nations, and of funeral rites and ceremonies. The scenes are usually painted in tempera upon a thin layer of white plaster laid upon the bedding of mud, or perhaps very poor dark-coloured mortar, with which the limestone slabs that formed the walls were covered. Among such tombs may be specially mentioned:--

1. The Tomb of Rekhmàrā, which is situated in the hill behind the Ramesseum called Shêkh 'Abd al-Ķûrna ; it is one of the most interesting of all the private tombs found at Thebes. The scenes on the walls represent a procession of tribute bearers from Punt carrying apes, ivory, etc., and of people from parts of Syria and the shores of the Mediterranean bringing to him gifts consisting of the choicest products of their lands, which Rekh-mȧrā receives for Thothmes III. The countries can in many cases be

No. 35, according to Wilkinson, and No. 15, according to Champollion.

identified by means of the article depicted. The scenes in the inner chamber represent brickmaking, ropemaking, smiths' and masons' work, etc., etc., superintended by Rekhmårä, prefect of Thebes; elsewhere are domestic scenes and a representation of Rekhmȧra sailing in a boat, lists of offerings, etc.

2. Tomb of Nekht at Shekh 'Abd al

out in the year

1889, but there is little doubt that it was known to the inhabitants of

JM Kurna some time before. Though

(From a photograph by A. Beato of Luxor.)

small, it is of considerable interest, and the freshness of the colours in the scenes is unusual; it is, moreover, a fine example of the tomb of a Theban gentleman of the Middle Empire.

As the paintings and inscriptions are typical of their class, they are here described at some length. The tomb of Nekht consists of two chambers, but the larger one only is ornamented; the ceiling is painted with a wave pattern, and the cornice is formed of the khakeru pattern

On the left end wall a granite stele is painted,

of Abydos, may he grant a coming in [and] a going out

Grant royal oblation [Harmachis], may he grant a view

of his splendours every day, and a coming forth upon earth

living upon earth, to the double of the temple-servant

ka

en

unnut

Grant royal oblation Amen, president of the . . . . . god

great, chief of Thebes, . . . [may he grant] things day every

to the double of [the temple-servant Nekht, triumphant]!

Grant royal oblation Anubis, chief of the divine hall,

Unnefer, to the double of the temple-servant Nekht.

On the upper part of the stele the deceased Nekht and his sister and wife Taui, a lady of the College of Amen, are represented sitting before a table of offerings; the inscrip. tion reads, "a coming forth always to the table of the lords of eternity every day, to the ka of the temple-servant, Nekht, triumphant, and to his sister, the lady of the house, triumphant!" Beneath this scene are two utchats facing each other, and the signs. The four per

pendicular lines of inscription state that the deceased is "watchfully devoted " to the four children of Horus, whose names are Mesthå

H

=14, Qebḥsennuf & ~

Ḥāpi, and Tuamutef *

On the right of the stele are:

1. Kneeling figure of a man offering, and the legend,

AL

"the giving of beer to the scribe Nekht."

2. Kneeling figure of a man offering two vases, and