It has been contended by Depauw, and others that the ancient Egyptians were of the Mongolian race. I find nothing like Mongolian features in any embalmed head in my collection, unless some general resemblance can be traced in a solitary instance from Thebes, (Plate XII., Figs. 1, 2,) which, however, partakes more obviously of the Semitic form. This observation sustains the opinion of Professor Blumenbach, who in comparing the Egyptians with the several races of men, asserts, that “they differ from none more than from the Mongolian, to which the Chinese belong.”[118] That the Chinese had commercial intercourse with the Egyptians in very early times, is beyond question; for vessels of Chinese porcelain, with inscriptions in that language, have been repeatedly found in the Theban catacombs.[119] Yet in every instance wherein we detect Mongolians on the monuments, they are represented as foreigners and enemies. The annexed wood-cut, with the small and somewhat depressed nose, shaven head, and crown-lock, scanty beard, moustache, and sallow complexion, seems clearly to indicate a man of that race. It is copied from a drawing in Rosellini, in which Rameses the Third is represented fighting against the Sheto or Scythians, among whom the Mongols appear to be allies or mercenaries.
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