New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-01-23
ANCIENT CORINTI.
THE AMERICAN EXPLORATION OF THE
BURIED CITY.
J. Gennadius in The Forum.


J. Gennadus in The Forum.
The latest exploration undertaken by the
American scholars bids fair to eclipse all their
previous achievements in Greece. Not only is
the vast site Of ancient Corinth Of exceptional
interest and OF great archaeological promise. but
the work is fortunately in the hands Of Pro-
fcssor Richardson. the present director Of the
school who. as shown more than once in these
articles. has given proof of sound scholarship
and Of that scrupulQusness in research which IS
an essential in all scientific work. In de-
fault of any fixed point save the columns Of the
temple Professor Richardson decided 10 dig
trenches in its vicinity and ii other promising
spots. in the hop" Of lighting upon one Of the
buildings mentioned by Pdusanias; otherwise. 1t
was cropping in the dark. Altogether twenty-one
such trenches We're sunk most OF them with
lateral openings. and all about three metres wide
and from four To seven deep The first trench.
though it supplied no certain indication. revealed
thirty onc Ionic columns and parts Of columns
used rs foundations for later buildings. In the
second trench thirteen rock-cut graves
found with a considerable quantity OF common
red ware. The third trench was more encour-
aging in its results, since il laid bare a broad
paved way Of fine workmanship. with water
channels on either side Of it-evidcnty one OF
the streets Of the ancient city, leading as i3
conjectured from traces met with in other
trenches. 10 tn" agOra. The most important dis
covery and The one which decided the value Of
the cxplora ton. was made toward the end Of the
season. when on May 10 after whole weeks
fruitlcss digging in trench No Is succession
Of stones appeared arranged stepwise. on the
be the remains Of the theatre. Five flights OF
steps innumerable seat foundations and two
seats in stu left no doubt to the significance
Of the discovery. These remains are much shat
tered and damaged; and the steps, in some
cases. are deeply worn by footprints. The IN
tcrest in this fortunate find was heightened when
IL became evident that later Roman theatre
had been built on the remains OF the cd struct'
urc A reliable starting point was thus estab
lished and from its position relative 20 the
seven Dorc columns Professor Richardson sup
at
yond this temple. to the cast. another trench
brought to light = magnificent stoa. or passage,
which ais" is believed TO lead to the aGora-the
great centre IL the city ard If its chief ediiiceS.
Tho minor finds OF this :, 1son's work comprise
considerable number Of sculptured fragments.
four heads of statues, and Dionysiac group
in marble about half life-size. representing
Dionysus between Pan and a nymph Some In
scriptons mostly Roman. four OF them being
practically entire large quantity If terra-cotta
fragments and nineteen whole vases. found in
a cluster Of prehistoric tOmbs-which in them
selves are 81 great archaeological intcrest-com-
pete the list.
The complete. thorough and systematic exca-
vations OF Corinth VIII be an achievement sur
passing even that Of Olympia in point of historic
interest archaeological and artistic Importance,
and in the number and value OF the finds thas
may be reasonably expected from it. Rrlliiant
as the work # the young American Sch'o has
been thus far. an opportunity for even greater
distinction now lies before ii at Corinth Iro-
lessor H. l. Wheeler thinks it will be altogether
the most important contribution made by any
American excavation TO archaeological and topo-
graphical knowledge
The PEOPLE OF Greece cheerfully give every
facility while the Greek Government Is again
ready in the case Of Corinth. as Professor Rch-
ardson atfrins ITO buy for us just as much or
Just as little land as we desire. paying per-
ccntagc Of the price" But much is needed be-
yond this To lay bare the entire site-not IN
haphaZard manner. Incompatible with the re-
nurements Of science and injurious To me re-
pute Of the workcrS-scvera seasons OF lapor
will be necessary and a large sum Of money re-
CURED ,..,,
Which American Crrsus will earn for himself
n fame more cnviahle than that Of the Crpsus OF
old by supplying the necessary FUNDS Tor Il WVih
noble in Itself and promising him lasting re-
nown? The erection II no institution the en-
dowment Of no foundation at home, can coi.-
parc in object and result with TINS exploration
Of Corinth 10y the American School At Athens
II will be a service rendered To every prancn
Of science. II will be an achievement known ~
and discussed by the whole world IL VIII og
the rcsuscitation Of the "lumen totius fIece.
The name of the Macenas who confers TINS Dehe.
6t on science and civilization VIII ever lein"'"
connected with the imperishabe fame OF Cor
inth. while his muniiiccnce Will add To the nohos
and prestige Of America