Within the area of these temples was discovered quite a number of historical relics.  None is more interesting, perhaps, than the ivory statuette of the first dynasty king.  This anonymous ruler is figured as wearing the crown of Upper Egypt, and a thick embroidered robe.

From the nature of the pattern and the stiff edge represented, it looks as if this robe were quilted with embroidery; no such dress is known on any Egyptian figure yet found.  The work belongs to an unconventional school, before the rise of the fixed traditions; it might have been carved in any age and country where good natural work was done.  In its unshrinking figuring of age and weakness with a subtle character, it shows a power of dealing with individuality which stands apart from all the later work.

[Illustration:  395.jpg IVORY STATUETTE OF FIRST DYNASTY KING]

Of greater interest, however, is the ivory statuette of Khufui, which is the first figure of that monarch that has come to light.  The king is seated upon his throne, and the inscription upon the front of it leaves no doubt as to the identity of the figure.  The work is of extraordinary delicacy and finish; for even when magnified it does not suggest any imperfection or clumsiness, but might have belonged to a life-sized statue.  The proportion of the head is slightly exaggerated; as, indeed, is always the case in minute work; but the character and expression are as well handled as they might be on any other scale, and are full of power and vigour.  The idea which it conveys to us of the personality of Khufui agrees with his historical position.  We see the energy, the commanding air, the indomitable will, and the firm ability of the man who stamped for ever the character of the Egyptian monarchy and outdid all time in the scale of his works.  No other Egyptian king that we know resembled this head; and it stands apart in portraiture, though perhaps it may be compared with the energetic face of Justinian, the great builder and organiser.

[Illustration:  398.jpg ivory statuette of khufvi.]

Two ivory lions were also found in one of the private tombs around that of Zer.  It is evident that these lions were used as playing pieces, probably for the well-known pre-historic game of Four Lions and a Hare, for the bases of the lions are much worn, as if by sliding about upon a smooth surface, and the pelt of the lion, as originally carved, is also worn off as if by continued handling.  The lion shown in the illustration is of a later style than those of Zer or of Mena.  Near the place where this was found were a few others.  One of them, apparently a lioness, is depicted with a collar, indicating that the animal had been tamed, and yet another had inserted within the head an eye accurately cut in chalcedony.  Another valuable object unearthed at Abydos was the sceptre of King Khase-khemui.  This consisted of a series of cylinders of sard embellished at every fourth cylinder with double bands of thick gold, and completed at the thinner end with a plain cap of gold, copper rod, now corroded, binding the whole together.