sparks in it, which enhanced the blue
colour; this is, perhaps, the Uknu of the cuneiform
inscriptions, which has been read for a long time as
"crystal."

[Illustration: 032b.jpg PAINTED TABLETS IN THE HALL OF HARPS]

Wood for building or for ornamental work--pine,cypress, yew, cedar,
and oak,* musical instruments,** helmets, leathern jerkins covered with
metal scales, weapons of bronze and iron,*** chariots,**** dyed and
embroidered stuffs,^ perfumes,^^ dried cakes, oil, wines of Kharu,
liqueurs from Alasia, Khati, Singar, Naharaim, Amurru, and beer from
Qodi.^^^

* Building and ornamental woods are often mentioned in the
inscriptions of Thutmosis III. A scene at Karnak represents
Seti I. causing building-wood to be cut in the region of the
Lebanon. A letter of the King of Alasia speaks of
contributions of wood which several of his subjects had to
make to the King of Egypt.

** Some stringed instruments of music, and two or three
kinds of flutes and flageolets, are designated in Egyptian
by names borrowed from some Semitic tongue--a fact which
proves that they were imported; the wooden framework of the
harp, decorated with sculptured heads of Astarto, figures
among the objects coming from Syria in the temple of the
Theban Anion.

*** Several names of arms borrowed from some Semitic dialect
have been noticed in the texts of this period. The objects
as well as the words must have been imported into Egypt,
e.g. the quiver, the sword and javelins used by the
charioteers. Cuirasses and leathern jerkins are mentioned in
the inscriptions of Thutmosis III.

**** Chariots plated with gold and silver figure frequently
among the spoils of Thutmosis III.: the Anastasi Papyrus,
No. 1, contains a detailed description of Syrian chariots--
Markabuti--with a reference to the localities whore certain
parts of them were made;--the country of the Amurru, that of
Aupa, the town of Pahira. The Tel el-Amarna correspondence
mentions very frequently chariots sent to the Pharaoh by the
King of Babylon, either as presents or to be sold in Egypt;
others sent by the King of Alasia and by the King of
Mitanni.

^ Some linen, cotton, or woollen stuffs are mentioned in the
_Anastasi Papyrus_, No. 4, and elsewhere as coming from
Syria. The Egyptian love of white linen