VI.—Professor Walther's Erosion in the Desert Considered

Abstract

In the Cairo Scientific Journal the first chapter of Professor Walther's new edition of Das Gosetz der Wüstenbildung was considered in some detail. His second chapter, “Die Abtragung in der Wüste” (pp. 111–218), is no less stimulating to thought and replete in observation. He opens this section of his work with a statement of the facts which point to great climatic stability in Egypt during historical times. Two of these are specially mentioned. First, the presence of a small sack of salt in a grave of the Eighteenth Dynasty, the analysis of which agreed absolutely with that of the salt at present obtained from the lakes of the Wadi Natrun. This occurrence, according to him, proves that the same salt mixtures were being formed at periods 3,500 years apart. A statement as to the nature of the resemblances which lead to so wide a conclusion would have been of interest. Secondly, attention is also called to the total absence of water in the Tombs of the Kings since they were first excavated, pointing to the underground water having stood for many thousands of years at more than 50 metres below present valley level.