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

DURING lorn CENTURY: EGYPT 645
Egyptian priests in honor of Ptolemy III., Kuergetes,
which is not only of great historical interest, but also proves
the accuracy of the decipherment of the hieroglyphs. As
large portions of the ruin remained unexamined, it was considered
wise that Petrie should in 1884 begin excavations
there, under the auspices of the Egypt Exploration Fund.
The whole temple district was laid bare, and many valuable
Ruins of Tanis, the Biblical Zoan
pieces discovered were described. Only bv these means
could an idea of the size of this sanctuary and its surroundings
be obtained. Its records reach back to the earliest
times of Egyptian history ; for not only Pepi of the Sixth
Dynasty but also the great Pharaohs of the Twelfth added
their works to it, and furnished the temple, dedicated to the
god Set, with obelisks, pillars, statues, and sphinxes. Like
many of the old temples, this also fell into decay during
the troublous times of the Hyksos rule. Rameses II.,