The Shasta courier., 1854-09-30
Strange Sabtcrranean Excavation at de-
ruAolena.

In the "Mirror and Keystone" OF August is.
1854, a Masonic journal published In Phiadel-
phia we find an account OF an extensive sueter-
ranean cavern, lately discovered at Jerusalem
Il appears from this writer, that some years
since portion of the northern wall OF That city,
some two hundred yards east OF the Damascus
Cute, feil and broke the roof OF what then ap-
peared to be natural cavern. The wall now
ever, was soon repaired, but it was rumored
among the yvorkmen that the cave WAS OF no or
dinary character. This rumor gave rise to in-
quiry, and the describer among others. provl-
ded himself with implements aad gained an
entrance. The party was three hours In travel
ing over the principal portion OF it. The root
was supported at intervals by massive square
pillars Of rock. which were evidently lett stand
ing while all around was cut away. The place
appeared as if it had once been a vast quarry,
for here and there they come in contact with
windings and sections intricate aud complex, in
which were heaps of stone chips, and piles OF
ua~cougslt blacks Of rock, heaped upon one
another in the widest confusion. Then again
to large spaces sufficient to accommodate thous-
ands Of workmen, from the roof of which. hang
ing in beautiful grandeur, were immense masses
Cd stalacttes. Ali looked fresh, and as it the
workmen had left but yesterday. Here were
deep inches cut in the side of the solid rock !;
there flight of stairs hewn, and yonder lay
numbers of human skeletons, while In their VI
cinity, hidden from their gaze. stood grey
looking circular basin, of about three feet in
diameter, scooped out with great regularity i'll
the solid rock, receiving in its bosom the water
that was fltering through the sides and the
ceiling above. Close to it lie scattered broken
pieces of pottery, remains OF vessels used IN
drinking; and to which, being perpetualy
washed by the gentle stream of the overAowing
basin. is communicated newness and fresh
ness 40 that they appeared as it they had only
lust dropped out of the hands of the hurried
work,uen when coming hither to quench their
thirst, and who had only left to furnish them
selves with new and entire ones, wherewlth to
draw from the little crystal fountain which ma
ture seems to have provided tor their convent
ence.
This strange cavern is large enough even as
far as it has been explored to have furnished
the materials for the building of the temple, and
the walls of Jerusalem; and extends southeast
of Mount Moriah in the direction of the Mosque
Of Omar.
In commenting upon this, the Asmomean. in
which the communication was hrst published,
says:
Does it owe its origin to the building Of Solo
mons Temple, or TO the Subsequent edlhce
erected by Herodl There may be some refer
ence to it in Josephus' Antiq. book xv c. xi
Sec 7; wherein the historian writes with re-
gard to Herod's Temple: g There was also an
occult passage built for the king-it led from An
tonia 10 the inner table at its eastern gate; over
which be also erected for himself tower, thai;
he might have the opportunity OF subserrn,
ncous ascent to the temple, in order to guard
against any sedition that might be made by the
people against their kings. He also states In
connection with the building of this temple. that
in order to encourage the people, the king got
ready thousand wagons, that were to bring
stones asr the baildiag.~ (Sec. p From this
We might iuser chat the stones were brought
from a alistaace, did aot the immense size OF
some of them e. their length was twenty-fv
cubits their height was eight and their breadth
about Twelve, y render such proceeding very
i'm mprobable-State Journal