Naville also made researches at Tel Basta, the site of the Bubastis of the Greeks, the Pi Beseth of the Bible, and the Pi Bast of the Egyptians, which was formerly the centre of worship of the goddess Pasht and her sacred animal, the cat.  The whole plan of the ancient temple was soon disclosed, the general outline of which bears much resemblance to that of the great Temple of San.  In the division which Naville called the Festival Hall were numerous black and red statues inscribed with the name of Ramses II., but many of which were probably not really erected by this monarch.  Here there was also found a standing statue of the Governor of Ethiopia, a priest and priestess of the twenty-sixth dynasty, and many other monuments of the greatest historical interest.  The hall itself was built of red granite.

Another hall, which Naville called the “Hypostyle Hall,” possessed a colonnade of such beauty that it would seem to justify the statement of Herodotus, that the temple of Bubastis was one of the finest in Egypt.  The columns were either splendid red granite monoliths, with lotus-bud or palm-leaf capitals; or, a head of Hathor from which fell two long locks.  These columns probably belonged to the twelfth dynasty.  In what Naville called the “Ptolemaic Hall” occurs the name Nephthorheb or Nectanebo I. of the thirtieth dynasty.  The relics of this remarkable temple thus cover a period from the sixth to the thirtieth dynasties, some 3,200 years.  During this season Professor Petrie made important discoveries in relation to the obscure Hyksos dominion in Egypt.  Many representations of these Shepherd Kings were found, and, from their physiognomy, it was judged that they were not Semites, but rather Mongols or Tatars, who probably came from the same part of Asia as the Mongul hordes of Genghis Khan.

Early in 1888 excavations were resumed on the site of the great temple of Bubastis by M. Edouard Naville, Mr. F. LI.  Griffiths, and the Count d’Hulst.  The investigation again yielded the usual crop of antiquities that was now always expected from the exploration of the famous sites.  A third hall was discovered, which had been built in the time of Osorkon I., of red granite inlaid with sculptured slabs.  There were also many other monuments and remains of the monarchs, together with much valuable evidence relating to the rule of the Hyksos.

Petrie brought to London many beautiful Ptolemaic and Roman portraits, which he had discovered in a vast cemetery near the pyramid which bears the name of King Ahmenemhait III.  The portraits are in an excellent state of preservation, and are invaluable as illustrative of the features, manners, and customs of the Greek and Roman periods in Egyptian history.