Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1894-05-17
BABYLoNfAN RECORDS.
Inscribed Vases Found Nearly Six Thou
sand Years Old.
philndaluha Ledger,

sand Years Old.
Philadelphia Ledger. 49,.
Nearly year ago the Ledger gave an
account of Professor Hilprecht's great
work on the Babylonian Expedition.
The explorations thus set on foot, with
such remarkable results already secured,
are still being carried OH. Mr.. Haynes,
now in charge, in spite of hot summer
and cholera all around him, has been
exploring with such success that he has
found, within year, over 5000 tablets
and inscribed vases, from b. G. $500 to
1000. There have, therefore, been OBJ
tanned over $4,000 cuneiform tablets of
the most ancient period. The import
ance of this discovery may be inferred
from the fact that since the publication
of Professor Hilprecht's first volume
last year, and in consequence of the
valuable results of the University ex-
plorations presented in it, Babylonian
chronology and history have been revo-
lutionized, and the reviews of Hill
precht's monumental work by leading
European Assyriologists fully bear out
the Ledger's statement of its significance.
The number of inscribed objects OBJ
tanned by the University's Babylonian
exploration is far larger than that Sc
cured by the excavations of De Sayce
and Layard-the former under the
auspices of the French government, the
latter under the strong support Of the
British government. The whole archeo-
logical world is watching the progress
of the University exploration. If 1t
should now be obliged to leave the field
where it has achieved such great results,
the English and French would at once
take up the work and get the benefit of
the five years of labor and the prepara-
| ton for further finds. Mr.. Haynes has
sent "squGezes" of ancient Inscriptions
just found, and reports the discovery of
important inscribed vases of $500 b. Q.
Another year only is necessary to finish
the exploration of the Temple of Bel.
1t has been decided by the University
committee to go on for another year,
and to do this the sum of $4,000 only is
needed, but it must be secured by April
1st W enable Mr.. Haynes to continue his
work. To end it now for want of such a
| sum seems almost traglcal to those who
have given time and labor, under such
trying conditions, to this important
work. II has won for the University,
and for those who have contributed the
money up to this time, an honor hitherto
| reserved Tor explorers supported by inc
national treasures of France and Eng
land. 1t is in the highest degree credita-
BILE to Professor Hilprecht and his fell
low laborers that they have been SO
generously supported by our own pri-
vate citizens, and it is to be hoped that
Others will respond with like prompt
ness to this last appeal. There can be
no question that the University of Penn
sylvania and Philadelphia have gained
infinitely in the eyes of scholars, abroad
and at home, by the results of the Baby
lonian expedition, and the small sum Of
$500 only is needed, for $1,000 have
already been subscribed towards the
$4,000, which will enable MI. Haynes to
bring to final conclusion the discov-
cries which, under Professor Hilprecht,
have produced such important material
for history.