Author Description

This Reading & Answer Book is for the student of hieroglyphics who wishes to extend their translation skills using real ancient Egyptian texts. The pages contain the hieroglyphic text, phonetic translation, literal and full translations and should be used with the accompanying Student Work Book which contains only the hieroglyphic text and phonetic translation The Papyrus of Nu was found at Qurna, Thebes, and was purchased by the Trustees of the British Museum in 1891. It measures 65 feet 3.5 in. by 1 foot 1.5 in., it is mounted in thirty sheets. The Land of the Book of Mounds The Mounds in Chapter 149 of the Book of the Dead is described as having fields, hills, plateaus, valleys, high mountains and lofty cliffs as well as cities and towns. The First Mound is described as a pleasant place to live where 'men live on Shen-loaves and jars of beer.' The Second Mound emphasises fertile farmland. The Fourth Mound boasts of two very high mountains. The Eighth, Eleventh, and Fourteenth describe plateaus, while the Seventh to the Fourteenth mentions towns and harbours. The exact locations of these towns are not given, although the Fourteenth mentions the name of a town called Keraha and is described as a shipping port which has been associated with the town of Heliopolis which lies north-east of ancient Memphis and on the edge of the Delta region. The Seventh Mound is described as being 'far out of sight', while the Eight Mound is associated with high and mighty waves suggesting a large expanse of ocean nearby. The overall impression painted by The Book of Mounds is one of a mountainous or hilly land with valleys, fertile lands, towns and shipping ports located somewhere beyond a large expanse of water.'