Evening star., 1902-04-05
explore, under. competent guidance, tn

explore, under competent guidance the
most renowned sites of antiquity; they be-
come acquainted with the greatest master
pieces Of the worlds art, and acquire from
the monuments themselves the principles of
architecture and sculpture; they have al
times the privilege of reading from the
stones inscriptions quoted by ancient histo-
rianS. And in these sacred localities they
impart to their pupils iii turn living and
abiding interest in the immortal produc-
tions Of ancient times.
The American School for Oriental Study
and Research in Palestine completed its
first year in October, 1901. Biblical an
tiquities appeal strongly to every devout
student of the sacred Scriptures. We de-
sire to know as much as possible Of the
places made ever memorable by the foot
ste eps Of Jesus of Nazareth. Palestine is Z
comparatively new field for archaeological
exploration. and the abundant light that
has been thrown on the Old Testament by
excavations in Assyria and Babylonia leads
one to hope that the thorough exploration
OF Palestine will add much to our knowl-
edge of the Hebrew people.
Professor c. c. Torrey of Yale University
was the first director of the school in Pales-
tire, and he succeeded in founding the
school and preparing the way for efficient
work by his successors. Owing to the dill
atorineSs and caution of the Turkish gov
ernment an imperial trade has not yet been
obtained, but this will not interfere serious
ly with the work of the school, as there
are prominent educational institutions of
long standing in the Turkish domain, found
ed and conducted by foreigners, which have
never received any official authorization
nor suffered from the lack Of 1t.
Excavations in Samaria.
1.-The first place where excavations are
to be conducted will probably be the site
of the ancient city of Samaria. The an
tiquity and varied history Of that city and
its biblical associations render it an espe-
clally promising locality for such an under
taking.
THE president of the institute, in the
last annual report Of the council, makes the
following reference to American archaeol-
osy: The council has repeatedly expressed
Its desire to further the study of American
archaeology. But the government Of the
United States and private individuals have
shown such activity in the investigation of
antiquity on the American continent as to
make it difficult for the institute, with It's
limited means, to enter this field
g In 1899 the council. on the recommen-
dation of Mr., c. P. Bowditch. now the
chairman of its standing committee, estab-
lished travelling fellowship in American
archaeology, to- be held for four years, pro-
vided the work Of the incumbent was sat
tsfs ctory.I 1t appropriated for this purpose
81, 900, and this sum was increased by Mr.
Bowditch to $4,000. SO that the fellowship
has an annual value of $780, The committee
in charge, believe that they have found a
very suitable candidate for this fellowship
and are likely to recommend his immediate
appointment. 5The field of his labors will
probably, be Central America
Washington Center of Study.
washington is the center for the study
of American archaeology, and most emf
nent specialists in this field are resident
here. The society of the institute estab-
lished here will contribute much toward
bringing American archaeology in closer
touch with the universities of the country
and a closer af1iliation between classical
and American archaeology will greatly
stimulate research in the whole fleld, for
many of the problems met by both branch
es of the science are the same.
T. = In Conclusion, 1t may be Interesting to
inquire how an institute which covers so
large field Ia organized, and how 1t Sc
cures funds to carry on it's work The gov
ernment of the Institute Is Ia the hands OF
a council, of which Professor John Williams
White Of Harvard University Ia president.
The various schools are conducted by man
aging committees the officers of which are
ex-officia members of the council Thus
Professor J. r. Wheeler of Columbia Uni
versity Is chairman OF the managing COM
mittee of the School of Athens; Professor
Andrew r. West of Princeton University of
that at Rome, and Professor J. H. Thayer
Of Harvard University, Of the School in
Palestine. A few of the prominent MEM
bers Of the council and OF the managing
committees are Presidents D. C. Gilman
and Benjamin Ide Wheeler. Mayor Seth