Crania Ægyptiaca: Or, Observations on Egyptian Ethnography Derived from Anatomy, History and the Monuments

"Crania Ægyptiaca" by Samuel George Morton is a scientific publication written in the mid-19th century. The work focuses on the author's observations and analysis of ancient Egyptian cranial remains, aiming to shed light on the ethnography and physical characteristics of the ancient Egyptians. Through rigorous study of crania collected primarily by George R. Gliddon, Morton seeks to classify the races that once inhabited Egypt and explore their contributions to civilization. At the start of the memoir, Morton addresses the longstanding debates surrounding the physical traits and ethnic origins of the ancient Egyptians, presenting the motivations behind his research. He outlines the extensive efforts to collect a significant number of skulls, highlighting the collaboration with Gliddon, who gathered these samples during his time in Egypt. Morton discusses the lack of consensus among scholars regarding the ancestral roots of Egyptians and emphasizes the importance of examining cranial morphology in relation to archaeological findings. This introductory portion sets the stage for a detailed analysis of specific skulls, which will follow throughout the work.