CHAPTER II.
The Pyramid Builders.
There is no longer any need to trust to the
scanty notices of these early times that occur
in writings of later date. Egyptian inscriptions
now tell their own story; the monuments begin
to speak. In the valley of Wady Maghara, in
the peninsula of Sinai, carved upon the rocky
precipice, is to be seen King Senefru himself, in
the act of striking down an enemy; the accompanying
inscription gives the name and titles
of the sovereign, and designates him the conqueror
of the Mentu, the 'foreigners of the East.'
In these rocky valleys rich mineral treasures had been discovered, valuable copper ore, besides the blue and green precious stones so much prized in Egypt. These mines were explored and worked by labourers sent from Egypt, and the district gradually passed into possession of its kings.
