The broad ax., 1896-05-02
coNFIRMsA BIBLICAL ACCOUNT
Fruits OF the Americas DIsgings In the
n ner Mound

Fruits of the Americas Diggings In the
n nsr Mound
London Times: During the last few
years the work Of archaeological explo-
ration In Babylonia has been almost en-
trely confined to the hbors OF the Amer
lean expedition, who have been engaged
for several years in the systematic ex-
ploration Of the great mound OF Niffer, In
Central Babylonla, the site of the ancient
city Of Nlpur, and to the partially resumed
work OF NJ. de Sarzec at Tello, the ancient
Lagash.
The discoveries made by these explorers
have been Of great Importance, but they
chiefly related to the earliest days Of the
Chaldean empire, as far back as 1000
years before. the Christian era. Import
ant as these discoveries are. as furnishing
us with the material by which TO study
the dawn Of civilization In Chaldea, there
has always been a desire that we should
obtain some Inscribed records, possible his
torical inscriptions, Of the period OF the
new Babylonian empire (B. c. 606-53S),
especially Of the reigns Of Nebuchadnez-
ger III. and Nabonidus-
With the exception Of the Babylonian
chronicle Of the reign OF the latter mon
arch and few historical notices in his
cylinder Inscriptions, we have but little
indication OF the existence Of historical
records A discovery Of the greatest I'M
portance has just been made by Father
Schell, who has for some time been eX-
plOring In Babylonia. In the Muljelibeh
mound, one Of the principal heaps Of ruins
In the center Of Babylon, he has d.scOv-
sred long inscription Of NabonidUS, the
last Of the Babylonian kings B. c. $50
53S), which contains a mass Of history
and other data, which will he Of the great
est value to students Of this important Pc
Rod Of Babylonian history.
The monument In question Is n small
stella OF diorite. the upper part Of which
IS broken, inscribed with eleven columns
OF writing, and which appears to have
been erected early In the kings reign. 1t
resembles in some measure the celebrated
India house inscription of Nebuchadnez-
Zar. but Is much more full of historical
matter. Its value may be estimated when
1t Is stated that II contains a record of the
war Of revenge conducted by the Baby
lOn;ans and their MaHd;an allies against
ASsyria, fer the destruction Of the city Of
Sennacherib, In b. G. Cos; an account of
the election and coronation of NabOnidus,
In u. c. 5J5. and the wonderful dream IN
which NebuchadnezZar appeared TO him;
rs well as an account of the restoration OF
the Temple Of the Moon Of God, at Khar-
ran, accompanied by n Chronological rec
ord, which enables us TO fix the date OF
the so-called Scythian invasion. There Is
also valuable reference to the murder Of
Sennacherib by his son In Tebet, B. c.
GS1.
The account OF the dream Is incomplete,
but II is most important as showing the
implicit belief which these BabylonIan
kings had in portents by dreams, and II Is
also q remarkable confirmation CT the
statements 2f Daniel IN regard 10 the
dreams Of NebuchadncZZar. There are
many other matters referred to in the in
ScriptiOn which are of the great interest,
especially the pCriiOn relating to the ap-
portionment OF the temple revenues