In view of the doubt which persists in many quarters, it seems worth while to represent the evidence for Mesopotamian influence in Egypt at about 3000 B.C.—excluding writing—in a table which shows that we are confronted, not by a few random resemblances, but by a group of related phenomena. And this is, in fact, corroborated by the observation that the foreign features in Egypt all derive from one and the same phase of Mesopotamian civilization, namely, the later part of the Protoliterate period.[192] Now this phase (formerly called after Jamdat Nasr) represents an age of expansion: a richly equipped temple was built at Brak in Northern Syria (see above, p. 84); Mesopotamian tablets were found not only at Susa in Elam but at Sialk near Kashan in Central Persia (Fig. 51); and Mesopotamian cylinders were found, not only at the places mentioned just now, but as far afield as Cappadocia and Troy. At a time when Mesopotamian influence radiated in all directions it was but natural that it should touch Egypt also. Thus the traces of Mesopotamian arts and crafts which we find in pre- and protodynastic Egypt represent but one more manifestation of the expansion of Mesopotamia during the latter part of the Protoliterate period. MESOPOTAMIAN INFLUENCE IN PRE- AND PROTODYNASTIC EGYPT I. EVIDENCE OUTSIDE THE FIELD OF ART. _A. Mesopotamian Objects found in Egypt._ 1. Three cylinder seals of the late Protoliterate period. _B. Mesopotamian Usages temporarily adopted in Egypt._ 1. Sealing with engraved cylinders. 2. Recessed brick building for monumental purposes. _C. Mesopotamian Objects depicted on Egyptian Monuments._ 1. Costume, on the Gebel el Arak knife-handle. 2. Scalloped battle-axe on fragment of late predynastic stone vase.[193] 3. Ships, on Gebel el Arak knife-handle, “decorated” vases, and ivory labels of First Dynasty.[194] II. EVIDENCE IN THE FIELD OF ART. _A. Mesopotamian Motifs depicted in Egypt._ 1. Composite animals, especially winged griffins and serpent-necked felines, on palettes and knife-handles. 2. Group of hero dominating two lions, on Gebel el Arak knife-handle and in tomb at Hierakonpolis. 3. Pairs of entwined animals, on knife-handles and Narmer palette. _B. Mesopotamian peculiarities of Style apparent in Egypt._ 1. Antithetical group, on knife-handles and palettes. 2. Group of carnivore attacking impassive prey, on knife-handles. 3. Drawing of musculature, on Gebel el Arak knife-handle.