Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1894-10-14

N A.&n%S>1o discovery OF the
10 NG$SC o. conditions sur
y " rounding the hui
man race six thou
sand years ago. These men are Dr.
Peters and Professor Hilpricht, OF the
University Of Pennsylvania, who nave
been delving since 1887 into the ruins OF
Nf7er, near ancient Babylon.
The explorations made by Mr.. Peters
and Professor Hilpricht are the subject
of an interesting report, dated August
25, which has just reached the State
Department, from Minister A. w. Ter
rell, stationed at Constantinople. HIS
report is as follows:
~ have the honor to inform you that
I have examined into the results OF the
scientific exploration of the ruins OF
Niffer, near ancient Babylon, which
were begun aud are being continued
under the direction Of American sclen-
fists.
The expenses have been betrayed by
the Babylon Exploration Fund which
was formed by gentlemen In Philaael-
phia, in 1888 The work OF e1caVatlng
began in 1887, and, except at occasional
intervals, has been actively continued.
DR.. Peters and Professor Hilpricht, OF
the University OF Pennaylvania, super
vised the work in the beginning. LII is
now conducted under the direction OF
DR.. Peters, q citizen OF the United
States.
"Ip the number OF tablets, brick In
scribed vases and in the value OF cunel-
form texts found, this American enter
prise equals, if IL does not excel, the ex-
plorations OF Layard, at Ninevah, and
Rassam's excavations at Aba-Habbs.
ARRANGING THE RESULTS.
CDR. Hilpricht, the distinguished As
syrian scholar OF the University Of
Pennsylvania, is remaining here at the
museum, at the request OF the Turkish
Government, to translate inscriptions
and arrange tablets. insc:-th2d bowls
aud vases used from one TOY Lur tnon-
sand wears before the birth OF Christ.
Many tons OF tablets, vases, inscribed
brick, ssrcophagi and the like have
already arrived at the museum mere
where they are now being examined,
translated and arranged by Professors
Hilpricht. and Handy Bey, the learned
Mohammedan in charge OF the museum.
The Sultan, in recognition OF the ser
vices of the American professor, has
promised that the University OF Penn
sylyania shall receive one OF all dupl-
cate antiques
This enterprise has revealed an an
tiouity for the human race nearly ten
centuries older than science had Kno"i-
edge of before. The religion, govern
ernment, habits OF life, and, TO great
extent. customs OF men who lived four
thousand years before Christ are reveal
ed by the inscriptions which are now
being translated here and arranged oy
Professor Hilpricht
The worship Of one god (BeD, VINO
was invested with sensual and revolving
attributes. is more clearly known, and
the extent and arrangement OF his I'M
mense temple are now revealed.
CONDITIONS IN 1000 B. G.
THUS far 90, 900 inscribed tablets OF
clay and OF stone have been discovered
On these are inscribed promises to pay
debt, deeds and contracts, and a record
of all important public and private
events. saw one upon which was In,
scribed a promise 10 pay BORROWER
money, with interest," in shekels IN the
reign Of Cambyses. About $50 Hebrew,
Mandic, Arabic and Syrian inscribed
bowls have been dug up. Ihere
are more than all the mu-
seums in the world possessed oelore
They have also found hundreds OF
Babylonian seal cylinders, many go,u
aud silver ornaments, made thousands
of years ago by the Inhabitants OF the
regions between the Tigris and Eu-
Dhrates. About !, 900 vases OF alaoas-
ter. marble and other stone have oeen
discovered, with votive offerings OF iapls
lazuli, magnesite and agate many
hundred vases, tops, weapons, lnstru-
ments and household objects in iron.
bronze and clay were discovered, whlch
illustrate the condition surrounding our
race 1000 B. c.
TO EyCAvATE THE TEMPLE OF BEL.
1.-THE Temple of Bel, am Informed,
is now being dug around and laio pare
and when finished 1t will be the nrst
| TempIe of Bel ever systematically exca-
waited. With over two hundred ARABS
its colossal walls, containing 100 rooms
have been laid bare, and It's slaughter
house, affairs, tablet archives on stone
and treasury house have been revealed
The excavation extended down lorty-
two feet below the surface OF the fonn'
dation of the immense temple. An To-
scription on stone stated that this ioun-
dstion was established In the bosom o.
the lower regions, in the neig hoorhooc
OF the subterranean waters. Nlne ssr
cophagi have been e1humed and trans
ported entire to the Museum mere II
] Constantinople. Many crum oied Whei
first exposed to atmospheric influence
at is estimated that il will requir'