Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1893-05-14
ONE or rHs woRLo's WONDERS.
Russian Discovery OF IA Mammoth Ditch OF
Great Antiquity.
Washington star.

An announcement Of unusual interest
has Just tecn received NJ the Smithsonian
Institution from Crimea. IL comes from
the distinguished Russian engineer Melni.
koh. whose fame in his profession * alone
sufficient 90 vouch for its trustworthiness.
His letter IS the first announcement In this
country OF an interesting discovery.
The Russian gOsernmcnt a short time
ago undertook 90 survey route for a
canal between the Black Sea and the Sea-
of Asof. Molnikoh was assigned 10 TINS
task, and during ita performance he dis
covered the remains of great ditch Of
high antiquity built on marvellous proper
tions 10y savage hands and near 5000 years
old. Among the great engineering Won
ccrs OF tho world il IS second IN age only
TO the great pyramids Of Egypt.
SEVENTH CENTURY p. c.
For the most part the course Of tho
great excavation through the Crimean
plain has been oblitcrated by the ravages
Of time. but IL can be traced for the dis
tancc of SIX miles. Its discovery explains
many historic remains which hitherto
could not be accounted for. Search
has been made in history for
some account Of i've building. and
the Russian concludes it was proba-
hlv constructed in the seventh CEN
fury Is. C. by AsSande l. Of BOsphorus.
who was a powerful ruler OF those times
In that thon bArbarouS county,. Nothing
IS said. however. of the purpose which so
great q work, requiring such a vast amount
of labor, served. II II also probably re-
ferrcl 20 by Strobe and Pllny, ancient 10
man writer's, but IL indefinite terms.
EXTENSIVE FoRrrTICAIIoNs.
Tho canal excites the interest not so
much as the marvellous Notifications which
lined its banks and protected IT. terminals
40 either SEQ. Ii was paved the entire
length with stones. through a country
whore rocks are unknown, and when
must nave been brought a ccnHdoraDle
distance. The bottom, before the channel
was filed with earth as the ycsrs passed
by, measured about twenty-tve feet ana
bad an average depth below the surround
ing surface ol twenty 10 thirty fee.
one would suppose that this great water
course was roadway for vesse.s between
the two seas. Il being much shorter rout,
for the crafts Of old than SAILING around
the i.thmus, but this is not certain. tof
the savages who built il We're not engaged
80 lar a. Is known, IN commerce.
cAsrLrs AND TOWELS.
At either end were strong castles, which
are DOW IN ruins, hut 1t can be remen-
bercl when. in this century. warts IT them
were standing. They are built OF stone.
Durng the Crimean war, when began III
1854. a part az these stones were carried
away 20 construct hbspuAlSior the s'lolers'
The mass.ve remains of these castles now
measure over 10000 cutie metres. Along
he banks oi the canal extending through
thpulafu was q wall capped with many tow
| ere hut lnrdly "a Vcstlgc now romans OF
these, In the centre 81 the canal -WhlcD'
except al this point, Was a. stTalght as an
arrow there was hugo 'ortlhcatlon OF
four sides. three OF which were protected
by the canal. At THIS point there was aiSo
q smaller canal winch. situated out-lue
the llrger. afforded additional protection.
Xouophon. a flmous Athenian who con-
ducted the retreat OF the 10000 Greeks
tolls IN MS history of bitches which were
dug aero, the plans bv the enemy to I'M
pcde their march through the hostlle yer
ritorv. and sometimes water was let into
them by night a. a further hindrance II
may bee hat this curious ieat OF anclenI,
euriuecriug served as n monstrOuS wal
md moat for protection from eneiales'
Certainly tins was strategic point
The remains Of the old canal can be
trnced on the south side Of the modern
citv %, Ierckgp. which Is not far iEom inc
Grc.k c;'v If IaphraS. This last name,
which j. of ancient origin, slEhlheS IN the
Greek language ditch. ana gives en- IN
teresting cue Stones Were undoubtedly
t9ken from the bottom Of the canal L.
build the city of ferekop.
The ancient Clmmeriaus. savage PEG,
pl-. inhabited thls region formerly, and
built ;hs canal They were without laws
on M nature. 80 far as any records o. their
own come down - Ne. All travellers who
came 10 them were sacrificed to their
be9.ben gods and hence It Is that the
dirsing OF tins great ditch, which Tor ITS
tine rivals the Suez Canal, IS shrouded IL
deep my sterN.