Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1899-05-11

Correspondence Of the Dispatch)
LONDON, April 6.-The search for the
hidden archaeological treasures Of the
Holy Land goes on with unfiagging en-
ergy and with the earnest support Of the
Sultan, who, so far from opposing the
work that Christians are prosecuting IN
his territory, regards them with favor.
Since the issue Of the last firman the
agents of the Palestine Exploration Fund
have continued with fresh vim the work
that they have so successfully carried on
during the past few years. Their explo-
rations have proved conclusively the inn
portant fact that a great mound that has
been under cultivation for centuries and
which is called Tell-el Hesy, is identical
with the Amorite city OF Lachish. Dr.
Bliss has demonstrated that Tell-el-Hesy
consists of the debris of several cties.
many times destroyed and rebuilt. The
first town was built. 1t has been proved
supposed, was erected in the fourth GEN.
fury before the birth Of Christ.
The remains OF some nine cities i'm all
exist between the first and the last each
town having for its foundation the ruins
Of the one which Immediately preceded ii
on the same site. All traces of the city
last erected had been long oblterated
when the explorers commenced their cx-
cavations on the mound, the only EVIL
dence that the spot was once the site or
a town being an occasional stray potsherd
turned up the hoe or plowshare Of farm
er The round knoll known as Tell-el-
Hesy had for centuries been under cul;i-
walton, and one of the preiminarles TO
excavation on the site was the purchase
of the crops with which 1t was covered.
When the remains OF the various cities
were unearthed one after the other it was
found that the houses were built of sun
blocks of mud, held together by chopped
straw. Or. Bliss prepared elaborate plans
and measurements Of eight of the cities,
the building and rooms OF which were
well-defined and easily traced, but he re-
cognized as many as eleven cities in all.
1t is believed that a layer of charcoal
dust and white lime, found near the bot
tom, which is regarded as the mystery of
the tell, represents the burning Of the
city by the Israelites.
The excavations brought TO light n most
interesting relic in the ruins OF the third
city. 1t is "A tablet Of burned clay, mea-
surfing l-2 inches by inches, similar 10
the celebrated Tell-el-Amarna tablets,
bearing a message in cuneifOrm charac-
tiers. and ascribed to the fifteenth century
Il. c. 1t is now In the imperial museum
at Constantinople. In II occurs the name
Of Zimridi. who we learn from the Tell
el-Amarna tablets, was Governor OF La
chish, and who was murdered there by
emissaries from his Egyptian overload.
The translation of the tablet Is unusual
ly difficult and the text uncertain. This
important find leads those interested in
Palestine research to hope that future
exploration will bring to light the other
end Of the part of the Tell-el-Amarna cor
respondence which relates 90 Syria, and
that IT is reserved for DR.. Bliss 10 come
upon an archive chamber containing re-
cords of the past. which will tell US lin
the words OF Professor Sayce) OF days
when Abram. the -ebrew. pitched his
tent in the neghb9rhood of Hebron and
paid tithes 10 the King Of jerusalem"
Through excavations at Jerusalem. the
most interesting relics have been discov-
cred. and the account given by the his
torian. Josephus. regarding the area e
the city has been shown 10 be correct.
Various rock-cut dwellings were laid
bare. and probably Gate from the period
OF the Jebustes. \ rock-hewn base OF 4
tower and an aqueduct which were
traced may be referred TO Solomon. The
rock -hewn walls of Pool of Sloan. to-
gether with rock-cut steps leading down
to il, may, II is suggested, be the work
OF Hezekiah. while the remains Of an ar