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COMMENTARY
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Egypt is amply shown by the traces of the former workings as well as by the numerous objects composed of it that have survived, such as vases, statues, and even parts of buildings. However, here again it must be understood that Theophrastus is speaking in a vague general way of the territory of Thebes, for the nearest source of onyx marble appears to be considerably more than a hundred miles north of die site of the ancient city of Thebes. The ancient workings are still to be seen today, and the principal ones extend from Minia to Asiut.32
6. chernites.
This passage contains the only information we have about the nature of this stone. Pliny33 mentions it but merely paraphrases the statement of Theophrastus. Hill34 identified it as a white marble, though he did not explain his reasons. Against this identification is the fact that native marble was scarce and relatively little used in ancient Egypt. Furthermore, the few objects made of this stone that have been found are generally very small, by no means approaching a sarcophagus in size. Moore35 identified chernites as true alabaster. The context suggests that it was either alabaster or a particular variety of Egyptian onyx marble; for Theophrastus commonly groups together mineral substances similar in nature or appearance. But it is not very likely that it was a true alabaster; such compact gypsum was scarce and little used in ancient Egypt, where only a few small objects made of it have been found. It appears more probable that it was a particular kind of onyx marble, possibly a white, more uniform variety, as contrasted with the common variety that was yellowish and banded. Theophrastus mentions particularly that a sarcophagus was made of chernites, and several such Egyptian burial objects composed of onyx marble have survived to our day.36
7. poros.
The usual spelling is πώρος, not πόρος. Other Greek authors mention poros or poros stone, and their statements, together with
82 A. Lucas, Ancient Egyptian Materials and Industries (London, 1948), pp. 75-77. 33 XXXVI, 132. 3iTheophrastus's History of Stones, p. 23.
85 N. F. Moore, Ancient Mineralogy (New York, 1859), p. 172.
86 Lucas, Ancient Egyptian Materials and Industries, p. 463.
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