When the Egyptians first appear on the page of history they are already
possessed of a marvelously advanced civilization, extending back
thousands of years before the even remote period of the pyramid
builders. Long before the chosen people, the Hebrews, came into
possession of the promised land of Canaan, Egypt had kings, priests,
cities, armies; laws, temples, learning; arts and sciences and books.
Egypt is, beyond all other lands, the land of ruins, surpassing all in
gigantic and stately monumental remains, the result of immense human
labor.