Washington sentinel., 1899-11-25
Antiquities from Palestine,
Rsliqnayy and Illustrated Ayeh9oIoqis

RsliqSarv and Illustrated HyehRokoPi5k
The Holy Land always seems
nearer at Christmas time 80 US, but
few folks know that many relics of
the people who lived and died
there, from the PhilIstines to the
Arab conquerors, are found in ag-
ricultural operation. Surely an
ancient work of art from Nazareth,
Hebron, Jerusalem, or, indeed,
anywhere in Palestine, ought to
have niger archaeological value
to most thinking people, than any
relic from another part of the
globe. The old religions of Pal
estine are shown by the gods in
stone and clay, even now found
occasiOnally by the Arab farmer,
Tor history tells that the IsraeIltes
went astray at times, and what IS
more interesting than to find traces
or their heathen worship in spots
now sacred to Jew, Christian and
Mussulman alike. AT no better
time could these antiquities be
found than now, when man is able
to understand and value them, so
that they NAV be preserved for
the future generations; and moth
ing is more distressing than to find
alovely glass vessel smashed to
fragments in transit, a somewhat
frequent experience, | am sorry to
say. Ancient PhenI=ian, Jewish.
Roman, and Early Christian relics
have come to England in fairly
large nuggets during the past
eighteen months, and it seems right
that some public notice should be
taken Of these things ere they be-
com dispersed, or are sent abroad,
where so many OF the best arch
geological specimens appear to be
going.
The glass objects are the most
beautiful Of the antiquities. The
variety Of form is marvellous, and
evinces a high degree OF art in
glass working in Palestine in olden
times; the intricate spirals in blue
and green, over portions of the
body and neck of the vessels, in
the earlier pieces being almost
peculiar to Palestine, the only
other districts in which these forms
are found being localities where
the PhOenicians had commerce with
the inhabitants. A few speci mems
occur with figures and other orna-
ments on the lower portion OF the
vessel, notably one with two faces,
and others with a knobbed orna-
ment all over the body, but these
are necessarily rare. Roman types
of glass vessels also are found in
larger numbers, as would be ex-
pected, fol- glass was a great lux.
ury in early civilized times, and
only used bV the wealthy. Decav
has added to the beauty OF some Of
the objects in marvellous man.
ner, by giving them a lovely iri
descent hue. Silver, gold, green.
and purple all blend into one an.
other, and cause a glorious sheen,
only to be appreciated when seen.
1t cannot be described or illus
trated. The pottery is mostly
Phcenician in type. so far as have
sssn at present, the Mount OF
OliVes and Hebron being the two
places where specimens have been
discovered up to the present. II
IS extremely scarce, and sells at a |
high price in Palestine, and | have |
not seen a specimen IN the British |
Museum. The lamps appeal more
70 the student OF early Christianity,
10 manv bearing the ornaments
Ind symbols of Christian belief
The earliest lamp found in Pales.
inc is the open bowl, with one
Pout, formed by pressing a por-
ion Of the edge between the thumb
nd hnger when soft; this pressed
'ut portion held the wick. They
,ccur in all Phoe nician settlements,
~yprus, Malta, and other places, /
Ind the form in iron, but slightly
nodlhed, was used in Scotland and
IN the Continent until very re-
emily. Jewish lamps, from Pales.
inc, are Of another form, and bear
vases, grapes. lozenges,
Ierrlng bone pattern, and circles,
nd are OF type which have not
cen from elsewhere.