Hannibal journal. (Hannibal, Mo.) 1852-1853, 1853-06-23
ANCIENT RARYLoN

| 1t may not be known to many of our readers
that the French Government has EMPLOYED a
party OF gentlemen to explore the site OF ancient
Babylon. From reports Just received from
them, it appears that they have ascertained. be-
yond reasonable doubt, that the ruins beneath a
tumulus called the Kasr are those Of the mar
velleus paace-citadel of Semiramis and Nebu-
chadneZzar. They are in such a state of confr-
sion and decay, that it is impossible to form
from them any idea of the extent or character
of the edfice. They appear, however, to extend
beneath the bed of the Euphrates, circum-
.! % tnat IN ffd dhy the change in the course
and SO small that the bodIees brHth5 -ueatf- rfen
must have been packed up in them, the chin
touching the knees, and the arms being pressed
on the breast by the legs. These sarcophagi
have every appearance of having been used for
the lowest class Of society; but, notwithstand-
ing the place in which they were found, the
Idscoverers are inclined to think that they are
Of Parthian, not Chaldean origin. There have
also been found numerous fragments Of enamel
bricks, containing portions of the figures Of men
anil animals, together with ouneiform inscrip-
tion, the latter white in color, on blue ground
According 10 NJ. Fresnel, the chief Of the eXpe-
dition, these bricks afford a strong proof that
the ruins are those OF the palace Of Nebuchad-
|neZZar, inasmuch as the ornaments on them az
pear to be sporting subjects, such are described
Iby Ctesas and Dodorus. The foundations hav-
ling been dug down to in certain parts, it has
been ascertained that they are formed Of bricks
about foot square united by strong cement,
and that they are in blocks, if they had been
Isapped in all directions. In a tumums called
Amran, TO the south of Kasr, interesting discov.
Ieries have also been made. They appear TO be
the ruins of the dependencies Of the palace sit,
, uatcd on the left bank Of the Euphrates; ant
they contain numerous sarcophagi, in which
were found skeletons clothed in a sort Of armor
and wearing crowns of gold on their heads
liz touched, the skeletons, with the exception
of some parts of the skulls, fell into dust; bu
] the iron, though rusty, and the gold Of tn,
j crowns, are in a fair state OF preservation. nj
! IFresnel thinks that the dead in the sarcophag
were some Of the soldiers Of Alexander or Sc
lleucus. The crowns are simple bands, wit
three leaves in the shape of laurel on one side
, and three on the other. The leaves are yer
, neatly executed. Beneath the bands are leave
u of gold, which it is supposed covered the eyes
i From the quantity Of iron found in some OF th
L cofhns, il appears that the bodies are entirel
IIenveloped in it, and in one there is no iron bl
l, some earrings, proof that it was occupied b
e female. The sarcOphagi are about two an
l. three quarter yards in length, by between ha
of and three quarters of yard wide, and are Ell
O Itirely formed of bricks, and united by morta
elm addition to all This, tomb containing stat'
= cites in marble or alabaster, of Juno, Venus, al
of a reclining figure wearing Phrygian ca
together with some rings, earrings, and 9th
ed articles Of iewelry, have been found, as have
re so numerous statuetes, vases, phiais, articles
pottery, black stones, &c., Of Greek, Persia
Is. or Chaldean workmanship London Litera
e. Gazette.