rocks near Koptos are to this day covered with inscriptions—the invocations and prayers of many generations, both of workmen and of wayfarers. The development of trade and industry brought an increase both of wealth and power to the Mentuhoteps and their people. During the reign of the last sovereign of the eleventh dynasty, a more distant expedition was undertaken.
The land of Punt[1] was well known by name and repute to the Egyptians; they regarded it as a sacred region (Ta-neter, the 'holy land'), and it was known to be a hilly country, whose shores were washed by the Red Sea, and to be celebrated for many rare and precious products; for choice and costly woods; for gems and frankincense, and fragrant spices; for trees and plants unknown at home; for birds of strange plumage, giraffes, monkeys, and leopards. King Sankhkara despatched an expedition thither under the command of a nobleman named Hanno. Hanno tells us the story himself: 'I was sent,' he says, 'to conduct ships to
- ↑ It is not quite certain whether Punt was on the Arabian or Abyssinian shore of the Red Sea, probably the latter.
