Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1885-11-05
EXCAVATIONS IN EGYPT.

Light Thrown on Ancient Custom. as Well
as the Egyptian Spirit of To-day.
Professor Maspero's last report of his
labors in Egypt throws light not only
on the ancient customs there, but also
on the spirit which pervades the Egypt
of to day. Professor Maspero is Su-
perintendent of the museum at Boulag.
near Cairo. and is officially charged
with the oversight of all excavations
that are made in the country No ma
tive is permitted to dig for antiquities
under any pretense whatever, except
under his direction. Travellers who
have visited Stout remember with in
terest the American Presbyterian mis-
sion which has long been established
there, and its school for the education
OF natives. Also the neatness of many
Christian dwellings. Even in the mar
ket the evidences of a higher civiliza-
ton than is to be found elsewhere in
Egypt are apparent, Missions find less
obstacles to their work in Stout than in
Alexandria or Cairo. The story goes
that during last winter one of the most
famous magicians of Stout intimeted
to some Greeks that in the burial place
just south of the city, at place called
Drougah, some ancient treasures lay
buried. They requested permission to dig
for them under the watch of some en-
ploye of the museum. After certain
exorcisms, the magician indicated the
exact place-doubtless long the secret
of himself and his predecessors in the
s-black art''--where the treasure would
be found And eighteen feet from the
surface they actually struck rock, and
twenty-four feet lower block fell un-
der the blows of the pick, and the work
men were plunged pell-mell into rude
1y quarried chamber, the ancient en-
trance to which was stopped by the cav
ing in of the arched roof. A brick fur
mace with metallic door was found to
contain more than two hundred stone
ana bronze vases OF various forms, some
gold leaf, and in one corner a heap OF
black, shining earth. greasy to the
touch. The ceiling and walls were COW
cred with a coat of SCOT. To guard such
quantity of ancient curiosities required
the presence of two armed soldiers.
The news spread, a mob assembled. and
a tumult arose. The inhabitants OF the
Droucah, who are Copts. came in body
armed with clubs, and attempted to de-
SCSnu iuGO tuO plC AOA eAS - F~
carving off the entire booty. The agents
of the museum attempted to reason
with them. These treasures. said
they. .'belong to the Government. which
alone has right to dispose Of them &C
cording to its pleasure. But they
would not listen. What is this Gov
eminent YOU talk about?' they demand
ed; 1--WE do not recognize it: we are not
Thoso fpoA ourna were Df7k
here by our fathers and they belong to
us, and if you touch them we shall
strike you and your bloodsshall be split,
for you arc nothing but thieves and for
eigners.' During this debate the MOS
lem inhabitants Of Stout came upon
the scene and demanded their share OF
the treasures; but at thS first word the
people of Drougah Seplied: This gold
was found in CoftYc ground. and we
are Copts. You on the contrary, are
Mussuimans. and the tombs of your
fathers are in Arabia; go there ana
search for the gold which they buried.