The National tribune., 1899-07-27
THE "BLACK STONE" OF ROME.
Suppose Ruins Of the Tomb Of Romulus.
Near York Times.

All archaeolOgists will remember the
interest aroused some months ago by the
discovery III the Roman Forum OF the
Black Stone, or Lapis Niger, at the depth Of
about two feet beneath the pavement Of the
way which leads down from the arch of
SeptimuS ServeruS, as well as the many
dlscuSSlons, arguments, theories, and
speculatonS brought about by the same
discovery. Signor Giacomo Boni, engi-
neer and inspector of the excavations at the
time, recalling a certain passage in the
works of Dlonisius of Halicarnassus, was
led to recognize the sacred spot i'll the
Comitium as the one originally consecrated
and prepared for the tomb of Romulus, the
founder OF the City of Rome.
Signor Boni's opinion met with opposi-
ton and even ridicule, and the mystery
surrounding the Black Stone induced the
Hon. Guido Bacceli, the Minister of Public
instruction, TO order further excavations in
the vicinity of the sacred place" These
excavations were at once commenced and
carried on under the superintendent of
Signor Boni, who conducted them with ad-
mirable zeal and care. The first thing
brought to light was a mediaeyal well,
surrounded By pavementS of ancient marble
and stOnewOrk, and then, few days ago,
the diggerS came upon tufa base with
holdings OF a quadrilateral structure, at the
ends OF which rise two other bases, also OF
tufa rock.
The archaic character of the whole
structure dates back to the sixth century
before the Christian era. The classical
memories of the sacred monument 10 Rom
ulus, which, according to DionisiuS was
said to have existed in the Roman Forum.
tell us that the spot was adorned with two
images OF Hons-probably resembling
those found at Micenae and in other places.
1t is now believed by many that these two
lateral bases which have been unearthed
probably served as supports to the two lions
which adorned the sacred place. The
stratum of earth which for a distance of
three or four feet separated the Black Stone
from the ,ase was thickly sown with yotive
offerings and various archaic objects,
weights, bones of sacrificed and burned
animals, bronzes, vases, etc. Among the
vases was found a fragment of one with
black figures on a red ground.
Later the workmen came upon pilaster
at the side OF the structure, also of tufa,
implanted in the ground at the same depth
as the main construction, and probably
contemporaneous with it. Several letters
appeared on the face of this stone Soon
the plaster was almost entirely freed on
three sides, on each of which was found an
inscription, with one line running from left
to right. the other from right to left
No attempt has yet been made to decipher
these inscriptions, which are perhaps con-
temporary with those on the celebrated vase
of Duenos, or on that of the Quirinal Palace
here. The letters are finely and deeply cut
in the tufa, and by the side of the usual
signs of archaic Latin are others which are
less clear. The words are divided by
periods.
Whatever may be the ultimate result of
the researches of students and specialists.
it is certain that this Cippus, preserved as it
is in its original position, is very important
discovery. Excavations are proceeding
Eorum as wellMnear the Regia. near the
temple of the Divus Julius. and near the
Templum Sacrae Urbis. Two interesting
wells have also been found. one in the Regia,
the other near the temenos of Vista. All in
all. the fresh start at excavating the Forum
is destined to bring forth much of interest
to the surface. and very probably to change
in many ways some of the present ideas
regarding this theater of many events in
Rome's most important history.