The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1902-09-28
DISC OVERTES IN PALESTINE
Result of Excavations Made for Vienna
Academy Of Sciences.


DR.. sellin. professor Of the Evangeli-
cal Theological Faculty in Vienna, has
given an account of the results OF the eN-
cavations which he carried out in Pales-
tine for the Vienna Academy OF Sciences.
During a previous visit to the Holy Land
he had noticed a large mound, or small
hill which he considered was probably
OF artificial origin and might conceal the
remains of some ruined city. On his re-
turn, ha in1uced tho Academy OF
Sciences to provide him with the neces-
sary funds to excavate the site. It lies
near the village of Tanaak one days jour
ney from Jaffa and three days from Jeru-
salem. The permission of the Sultan
having been obtained. Professor Sellin
started tor Palestine again with the ne
cessary equipment, and, after some little
difficulty with the people OF the locality,
began his excavations or March 9th, en-
ploying as many as $50 workmen.
Under the mound. no fewer than four
castles or fortresses We're discovered. In
the middle were the ruins of an Arabian
castle; on the east a castle Of the period
of King Solomon; on the northwest side
one of a late Israelite period: while on the
west was found the earliest of them all.
one of pre-Israelite or Canaanite date. All
the castles had been plundered before they
were destroyed so that no valuables were
found but objects of stone and clay and
weapons We're discovered which assist
in fixing the approximate date of the va
rious buildings. The Canaanite castle is
the oldest. which show no marks Of the
chise!. Inside lay fragments of images
such as are mentioned in the Bible and
also a number OF small ornaments made
of stone and earthenware, mostly repre-
senting beetles, scarabs, and other in
sects. and bearing inscriptions. There
were two some rude weapons and vessels.
The professor put the date OF this castle
al about two thousand years before Christ
and suggests that it was destroyed by the
Israelites, perhaps under Solomon, who
proceeded to build their own fortress.
Though this second building has also suf-
fcred considerably, enough remains to
show that it belongs to the so-caled Sol
onion castles. In both. curiously enough
were found idols. vessels and other OBJ
jects belonging to religious rites such as
sacriticial pillar of stone. with an open
ing for lfbations, a stone altar. and-the
most important find of allan earthen-
ware altar in the form of a throne,
adorned with cherubim and lions. This IS
the only existing representation OF che
rubin or lhal Ga te. lney appear dS nll-
man heads with a lions body and wings.
The late Israeite castle appears to
have been a fortress only. The Arabian
shows more architectural skill than the
others in its arches. etc. and recalls the
style of the period of Haroun-al-Rashid.
Vessels and lamps were found, and in
scriptions of a. religious character. Be-
meath the ruins of all the castles human
remains We're found buried with vessels
bearing Inscriptions, while close to the
Solomon castle, a cemetery for children
seems TO have existed Professor Se!ltn
describes the excavation of the Canaanfte
castle as his chief feat, for though re-
mains Of such castles have been pre-
ViousIy discovered by Englishmen. hone
have hitherto tseen completely laid bare.
He is OF opinion that he will now be able
to draw a complete picture of the civili-
cation OF the Israelites and Canaanites in
Palestine. Most of the objects found have
been sent to the musun in Coustantino-
pie. but efforts will be mada to bring
some OF them to Eienna.-London Stan
dard.