The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1874-02-21 00:00:00

DIANA OF THE EPHESIANS.

hu bon tent to

The following intetesting commuees..__
The Time, for pull cellos,
Sir,—lt may intezest your readers to be informed of
the results of the excavationo on the mite of the great
Temple of Drams during the present season, which
commenced laid year, in the month of October, by order
of the trantees of the British Museum.
The ground his now been cleared and thoroughly
explored on all sides for about 30 feet beyond the lowest
step of the platform on which the temple was raised.
A considerable length of Ike step itself was found in
position. I have, therefore, ascertained the exact length
of the platform ; I have also ascertained the dimensions
of the temple itself with greater accuracy, having
found in the part recently opened up the remains of
pier* connected with the foandatims of the columns of
the Peristyle.
It is much to be regretted that the early Chanties&
who have the credit of having destroyed the temple
towards the close of the third century, have so thor-
oughly done their work of destructiou as to have left
very little to illuetrate its eplendour in architeetdre
and sculpture. We have been moot fortunate, con-
sidering the utter dearuction, now most notable on the
site, ie having secured what we have for our national
collection of autiquities, and to have added so much
more to cur knowledge of the Grecian lonic sty le of
architecture in which the temple was built. The base,
capital, and sculptured drums of column+ now in the
British Museum, at the end of the Elgiu Gallery, may
be referred to as most interesting studies for architects
and sculptors ; but they roust be more than glanced at,
especially placed as they are at present ma most trying
position, the great lion of Guidus, which was a monu-
ment in itself, and not accessory only, dwarfing and
rendering unappreciable by comparison (without the
necersary allowances) the life-s no human tigures on the
sculpture I drums from the temple.
The t-mple is found to meanure 163 ft. 9iir. by
6in; the platform on which it was rained 2391 t. 4iin.
by 4181. ljn., measured on the lowest step. The
length here given nearly accords with that given by
Pliny—viz, 425 Roman feet; the ascertained width
exceed', Pliny's dimension of 22011., which dimension
must have therefore, lost something in tranaclipt from
the original.
The rains having been long deferred this reason, and
the last season having been unusually dry, I have now
been enabled to continue my exp'oratiou of the whole
site to a much greater depth than before. I have exin-
erivently found, hi adlition to the foundations already
alluded to, many particulars which were wanting to
make a complete plan practicable.
An element of great beauty Lad almost escaped dig-
covery—&e., the ptentiful use of gold in the decorasiou
of the temple. One fragment was foitunately found
composed of two astragals, between which a narrow
slip ef lead was doubled in, In the fold of which way in-
rerted a narrow strip of gold, which formed a fillet of
gold between the astragals. I presume t..e three sets
of doable astragals of the bases of the columns, one of
which is in the British Museum, were all enriched with
golden fillets as here described.
The beauty of the temple was, moreover, heightened
by the use of brilliant ci lotus, remains of which are
found In numerous fragments, blue, red, and yellow
being readily duitinguidami —blue for the bock ground
of enrichments and sculpture in relief, red and yellow
for the parts requiitng greater prominence.
A number of the columns are inscribed on their
bases, shoe log that they were dedicated to Artemis by
various persons or communities. The question whether
the Pronsks was fenced off from the Peristyle has been
decided by the discovery of some of the mortises for the
iron standards.
The foundatione of the great altar in the Cella have
also been further s xplored, and the position of the
statue of the goddess has been, therefore, decided. The
remains of a wide portico have been found surronnding
the temple on three eidee, and at • dietance of 70 feet
on the south side ha, been recently discovered another
temple or other building in the Grecian Doric style,
which is now being partially explored.
I have the honour to be, Sir, your obedient, humble
servant, J. T. WOOD.
Jannery 22.

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