3 JUNE 1905, Page 22

Ehnasya, 1904. By W. M. Flinders Petrie. (Egypt Explora- tion

Fund. 25s.)—Ehnasya (the ancient Herakleopolis) had been partially explored some thirteen years before by Dr. Naville. Still, much was left to be discovered by Professor Flinders Petrie and his associate, Mr. Currelly. This forms the subject of the present volume. Ehnasya was occupied by human habitations for a very long period, going back as far as the First Dynasty. No remains, however, have been discovered earlier than the twelfth. On the other hand, objects aro found belonging to as late a time as the eighth century of our era. There is indeed a supplementary volume, also appearing under the care of Professor Petrie, entitled Roman Ehnasya. The results of the exploration are figured in these two memoirs (numbered 26th with a supplement). The most important find was a gold statuette of the Twenty-third Dynasty. It represents the ram-headed god Hershef, and is a fine bit of work artistically, though belonging to a decadent period. Historically it is important because it is a hitherto unknown cartouche, that of King Nefer-ka-ra, who grandiloquently describes himself as King of Upper and Lower Egypt. He was really a vassal of the Ethiopian power. The figure is about two and half inches in height, and is described as the "finest statuette yet known." Professor Petrie conjectures that it was hung round the neck of the great statue in the Temple.