DISCOVERY OF THE LONG-LOST INHABITANTS OF THE PYRAMIDS.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 2722, 9 December 1881, Page 2

DISCOVERY OF THE LONG-LOST INHABITANTS OF THE PYRAMIDS.

The students of archaeology in Egypt have made a discovery which promises to clear off the cloud with which the march of time has enveloped the ancient history of Egypt. Some of the natives of the tribe of the Bedaweens were noticed offering for sale numerous antiquities, and on investigation it was found they were obtained from a cavern cut out of rock 35 feet deep and 200 feet long, near the Nile, to the east of Thebes. On examining the cavern it was found to contain the mummies of kings of Egypt of the three dynasties which reigned from 1706 B.C. to 1110 BiC., and which comprised twenty-three kings. Thirty royal mummies have been found in this extensive tomb, and the suposition is that the Egyptian priests, during some period of revolution or invasion, removed them from their Royal habitation in the pyramids,and deposited them in this secret cavern to preserve them from violation. Four papyri have been found, the largest of of which is about 140 feet long and 16in wide, double the size of any other which has been found, and great things in the revelation of history are expected from the deciphering of it. Not the least interesting of the relics found is the mummy of the great Queen of Egypt, who has been independently identified with the daughter of Pharaoh who rescued Moses from the Nile. There have also been found no fewer than 3700 mortuary statues, and 2000 other relics. Among these are fiften gigantic wigs worn on state occasions, a leathern tent profusely covered with hieroglphics and by the side of each departed monarch is found an alabaster urn containing the heart and entrails of the deceased.