Beni-Hassan

Beni-Hassan, a village of Upper Egypt, on the east bank of the Nile, remarkable for the catacombs excavated in the low hills that rise in this part of the valley. These chambers are about thirty in number, and are supposed to have been used as sepulchres by the principal inhabitants of Hermopolis, a city that stood on the opposite side of the river. Some measure 60 by 40 feet, and pillars, left smooth for hieroglyphics, are cut out of the rock in imitation of the columns that support the roofs of buildings. The sides of the caverns are covered with paintings representing the customs of the ancient Egyptians; and these, although not so artistic as those in the Theban catacombs, are of earlier date, and throw much light on the manners and customs of the people.