Thibodaux minerva. [volume] (Thibodaux, La.) 18??-1858, 1853-06-25
Ancient Babylon-Its Ruins.

It may be known to many Of our readers that
the French Government has employed party
Of gentlemen to explore the site OF ancient
Babylon. From reports just received from them.
it appears that they have ascertaiued, beyond
reasonable doubt, that tho ruins beneath a
tumulus called the kasr are those Of the mar
velous palace-citadel of Semiramis and Nebu-
ehadnezzar. They are in such a state of con-
fusion aud decay, that it is impossible to form
from them any idea of the extent OF character
of the edifice. They appear, however, to extend
beneath the bed Of the Euphrates, circumstance
accounted for by the change in the course of that
river In them have been found sarcophagi, OF
clumsy execution and strange form. and so small,
that theibodies of the dead 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 notwithstanding the place in which
they were found, the DISCOVERIES are inclined to
think that they are Parthian, not Chaldean
| origin. There have also beenfound numerous
fragments Of efiameed bricks containing portions
Of the figures Of men and animals together with
euneiform inscriptions, the latter white in color
ON blue ground. According to Mr.. Fresnel,
the chief Of the expedition these bricks afford
strong proof that the ruins are those OF She
palace of Nebuchadnezzar inasmueh as the orna-
ments on them appear to be sporting subjects,
| such described by Ctesias and Diodofus.
The foundations having been dug down to IN
Eeertain parts, it has been ascertained that they
| are formed of bricks about foot square, united
by the strongest cement, and that they are in
blocks. as if they had been snapped III all dlree-
tons. In tumulus. called Amran, to the south
of Kasr, Interesting discoveries have also been
made. They appear to he the ruins OF the de-
1 Tendencies of the palace situated on the left
bank Of Euphrates and they. contain numerous
sareophag, in whicl were found skeletons
/ clothed i'll a sort of armoE, and wearing crowns
Of gold on their heads. When touched, the
| skeletons, with the. exception OF some parts OF
the skulls, fell into dust; but thesiron though
rusty, and the gold of the crownssare in q fair
| state of preservation Mr.. Fresnel thinks that
the dead in tie sarcophagi were some of the
soldiers ofzslexander or Selencus. The crowns
are simple bands, With three leaves in the shape
/ of laurel on one SIDE, and three on the other.
The leaves are very neatly executed. Beneath
] the bands are leaves of gold, which tits supposed
covered the eyes. From the quantity Of iron
found in some of The collins, it appears that the
bodies entirely enveloped in it; and IN one
there is no iron, but some earrings proof that
it was occupied by female. The sarcophagi
are about two and three-quartcr yards in length,
/ by between half and three-quarters Of yard
/ wide, and are entirely formed Of bricks and
united by mortar In addition to all this, a
tomb containing statuettes in marble or alabaster
of Juno, Venus, and Of a reclining figure wearing
Phrygan cap, together with some rings ear
rings and other articles of jewelry, has been
found, as have also numerous statuettes, vases,
phals, articles of pottery black stones, &C., OF
Greek, Persian, or Chaldean workmanship.