Explorations in Bible lands during the 19th century - H. V. Hilprecht

EXCAVATIONS IN
EGYPT
BY PROF. GEORGE STEINDORFF, PH. D.
During the nineteenth century, Egypt has gradually
gained a prominent place in the science of archaeology, so
that it can justly
lay claim to be considered
as the general
storehouse for
every science.
The valley of the
Nile gives up to the
spade of the explorer
its almost inexhaustible
of
supply
monumental
treasures, — treasures
which, thanks
to the dryness of
the climate, are in
a
most remarkably
fine state of preservation. Not a single year passes by
but that we are surprised by some new discovery. The
monuments and texts which are brought to light are naturally
of the utmost importance for the studv of the history
and civilization of Egypt. By means of them we are enabled
to follow the past life of the country almost without
interruption into the fourth millennium before the Christian
era. From that period forward, we are in a position to
trace the development of the Egyptian language and literature,
so that we have
46
Great Pyramid of Cheops at Gize
gained an insight into the civilization