The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-11-21
FOUND TOMB OF NOAH
HORNSTEIN's ALLEGED
DISCOVERY IN PALESTINE.
Pictures Showing Where the Deluge
Survivor Was Buried-ROck from
Which Moses Drew Water.

NEW YORK, Nov. 2O.-The finding of
Noah's tomb in Palestine by Charles Alex
ander Hornstein on his recent trip of ex-
ploration Identifies one of the most ancient
landmarks in Biblical history. 1t forms a
connecting link between the present time
and the age of the deluge. Mr.. Hornstein
has brought back with him the most in
fallible proofs of his Observation-Disclosures
showing distinctly the tomb of Noah, the
place where Moses smote the rock and
drew forth water, and places and objects
of the surrounding country.
Kerak, the place of Noahs tomb, is six
ty miles southeast of Jerusalem. The course
which Mr.. Hornstein and his party took in
making his discovery was by way of the
Dead sea. Going down to point on the
shore nearest Jerusalem they set out on
September evening in small Turkish
government sailboat. The Dead sea was
crossed in a southeasterly course in three
hours, and the boat then cruised southwark
along the shore for four hours. On Mr..
Hornstein's trip a storm arose and the
frail boat was driven upon a sandbar. For
hours the waves washed over the little party
of explorers. AT daybreak a landing was
made Horses were then taken, and the
gun. The ride was a continual ascent for
seven hours. The party stopped twice on
the road to rest. This part of the journey
was also made by night to avoid the in
tense heat of the sun by day. Kerak was
reached early the next morning 1t was
then necessary to obtain permission from
the resident Turkish Governor, Helmy Bey
Efendi, to take photographs and explore
the town and vicinity.
Mr.. Hornstein was received with courtesy
by the Governor and obtained favors which
have rarely been extended to travellers in
that region. In addition to an official per-
NIT, a staff of guides was furnished by the
Governor With their assistance Mr.. Horn
stein was able quickly to discover the tomb
of Noah. Though near the city of Kerak,
famous for it's ruins, this spot of such deep
and universal interest has hitherto been
overlooked by travellers and pilgrims to the
Holy Land. On a rocky KNOLL opposite
Bybar's tower, little to the northwest of
the city, Mr.. Horstein found the tomb
was nine feet long. The face of it was
clean and free from debris. In the native
tongue it was known as Sidna Nuh-Noah's
tomb. Even to the Bedouin tribes there
was evidence that this landmark connect
ing the period Of the deluge to modern
times, has been held sacred for ages.
The top of the tomb is covered to a great
height with bits of pottery, glass vessels
and sticks, with pieces of cloth attached,
presented by the natives as vOtiVe offerings
as at a shrine Walls have been built
around the tomb, and at certain season
the MaroniteS and other tribes make pill
grimages to the place.
These people have q story accounting for
why Noah selected this as his burial place.
There was certain knoll on this lofty
plateau. just outside the town, where he
used to go and gaze out over the vast
scene outspread. There was the Dead sea
5000 feet below and the winding river Jor-
dan leading away to the north. ALI about
were steep ravines, yawnin9 chasms. and
deep valleys of the most wonderful coloring.
The natives think the patriarch was in
that region the history Of his people would
be worked out So he entreated God that
he might be allowed to end his days and
there to prepare his sepulcher.
The patTIarch's prayer was granted, but
shortly before his death he again committed
the sin of drinking the wine and becoming
drunk. For this offense, it is said, that
God cut off part of his tomb by causing
great landslide. Noah was a very tall man.
in fact, he was q giant. for It is of that
period that the Bible says: There were
giants in the earth in those days" Because
Noahs tomb had been cut in two he could
not be buried at full length. 1t was neces-
Sary to double his legs under his thighs to
fit his remains to the tomb.
Southwark of Noah's tomb is where Moses
It's approach is through the Six This is
narrow passage or chasm between high
rocks, which rise on either side from so to 200
feet II is about ten feet wide in the mar
rowest part and forty feet in the widest.
The bottom of the passage is covered with
of the Ain Musa flow. The length of this
ma SSapa is abOut mile.