The Bloomfield times. [volume] (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1867-187?, 1874-03-24
Remarkable Discoveries.

A N enthusiastic German, named DR..
IA Schliemann has been hunting for
relics of the ancient city of Troy. After
many disappointments and finding some
relics that were of little account the doctor
was rewarded by reaching different class
of relics alta depth of twenty-three to
thirty-three feet below the surface. Elegant
vases and weapons of copper began to ap-
pear, with pottery of great antiquity and
heavy m asonry. In short, it was evident
that the traces of a civilization older than
that of Ilium Novum had been reached.
Moreover, the image of tho "owl-headed
Minerva" became so frequent that-she
having been the patron goddess of Troy-it
was evident that the site of the old city
had been reached. Immense numbers of
relics were discovered-more, indeed, than
can be made useful for archaeological pur-
poses-and the supposed foundations of
the Temple of Minerva were quite thor
oughly explored. This was in 1879. Early
in April, 1878, house of eight rooms was
uncovered at depth of twenty seven feet.
Near it the foundation of a large tower had
previously been found. This house was
manifestly the abode of some distinguished
person. Its walls were massive and bore
traces Of stucco on the inner surfaces, while
in front of its door was a stone altar for
offerings, and all around were human bones
including two copper hemlets with skulls
inside, and numbers of lance-heads and
other weapons. Traces of fire were every
where visible. Who shall accuse DIR. Schlei-
mann of undue enthusiasm when he
concluded that he stood on the scene of the
final struggle, which may well have taken
place before the old kings door, and amid
the caloined bones Of those who took part
in the fight? Let us not dispute his fancy
to call this Priam's House."
But farther triumphs were yet to come.
A few days later paved street was discov-
cred near the "Tower of Illum" and
"Priam's House." This DIR. Schleimann,
with the instinct Of true antiquarian, in
stantly said must lead to the Scean Gates
(for Homer always refers to this portal in
the plural number). A large force of work.
men was accordingly set to follow this
heavily paved street. 1t led them first to
another largo Trojan house-evidently this
was the aristooratio quarter Of Troy-and
then to the foundations Of large double
pair of gates, about twenty feet apart and
each dozen feet wide. Here was un-
doubtedly the Sccan Gate, about which
cluster SO many memories dear to the stu
dent of Homer
Beside theIhouse of Priam curious cop
per article was discovered by the doctor
and his wife one morning, and, as he
thought he caught the gleam of gold behind
it, he sent away the workmen and worked
at it himself his wife standing by and
carrying the treasures away in her shawl as
fast as they were taken out, In the doc
tors own words:
"The first thing found was large oval
shield Of copper, with raised rim, and a
boss in the center Then came a copper
pot, nearly eighteen inches in diameter,
with two handles a copper tray, fifteen
inches long, with small silver vase welded
to it by the action of fire golden flagon,
weighing nearly pound two golden COB
lets, one Of which weighed nearly pound
and quarter, 1000 grammes,) and had two
mouths for drinking--a small one for the
host and large one for the guests. The
latter had been cast, but the former,as well
as the flagOn, were Of hammered work.
There were, further, pieces Of silver which,
were probably "talents"-the tGlanta of
Homer-three silver vases, with two smaller