The San Francisco call., 1903-09-22

~ ERKELEY, Sept. H-Professor
IL Alfred Emerson, the archaeoIo-
u gist. returned to the University Of
- California to-day after spending
three years in Europe collecting
material for the university museum from
classical fields. During his absence DR..
Ernerson made purchases in Belgium,
Paris and London and did some tndepen-
cent eKcavating in Italy. over which he
Travelled extensively. He did not visit
Greece. having spent two years in that
country previously, when he was pro-
fessor of classical archaeology in the
american School Of Classical Studies in
Athens, a residence which rendered it IN
necessary for him 70 90 there again
Dr- Emerson returns with q collection
Ct ancient relics that is as rare and val
liable as any in America and forming the
nucleus for a museum that is destined 70
equal any in the world. This was pcssi-
Die through the generosity Of Mrs. Phoebe
Hearst, who sent DR.. Emerson abroad
with q commission 10 spend $4,000 in the
search for materials DR.. Emerson spent
The money 5udiciously but even SO the
cost Of the expedition viii not be limited
by the original appropriation. as there
are freight charges and salaries 10 pay
that VIII bring the entire cost up 10 SS5.-
900 at least.
A portion Of the collection has already
arrived, but the greater part remaining
is now en- route from Antwerp in a sailing
vessel that VIII not reacn San Francisco
for six months. As fast as the materials
arrive, however, they viii be installed in
the building set apart al the Affiliated
Colleges IN San Francisco for the museum
and exhibited for the benefit Of the pub
lie.
INTERESTING RELIC.
The most interesting relic in the collec-
ton is a well-preserved piece Of Egyptian
pre-dynastic pottery which DR.. Emerson
faceuously says is older than anybody or
anything IN San Francisco to-day. 1t is
vessel big enough 70 hold a pint, that was
manufactured in Egypt before the estab-
lishment OF the first dynasty Of native
kings, which carries II back to time 5000
years before Christ II is fashioned Of
clay and an imitation Of stone vessels
previously made. with perforated lugs on
the sides, through which cords for han
dies are passed. There are dark scenes
painted upon light red background suf-
fciently preserved for the observer 10
make out two ships Of war rugged with
square sails and long banks Of oars with
men tugging at them The remainder Of
the field IS occupied by animals, antelopes
and ostriches, with queer S-shaped marks
that were intended 10 represent hocks Of
birds sitting on the river banks.
Another valuable relic Is a Greek sepul-
chral flask Of white clay marked with red,
which belongs TO a category that is now
very rare and highly esteemed among
archaeologists. The figures in red are
beautifully drawn and represent them
making visits 10 the tombs Of their fami-
lies. whom they mourn One Of these fig
ures IS that OF young girl in the spirit
form sitting on the steps Of her tomb
stone. who is being visited by young
man carrying a spear ana young Woman
bearing a casket containing offerings Of
r,erfuune and a funeral Mbation- Just a
touch OF naturalism IS carried into the
scene by the picture OF a heron, which in
the ancient days wandered about the
cemeteries and was petted by the visitors.
AN ANCIENT FLASK.
A task OF a still older type shows fig
,rroe ia black on a red background. The
scene is neurological. showing the Attic
hero Theseus throwing the wild buu OF
Marathon. This flask is supposed 10
antedate the sepulchral Task l5O years
Al rare type Of drinking cup, such as
Was used by the ancients at banQuets, IS
AZ large as a basin. The cups were made
large IN those DAYS because Of the prac-
tice OF duuting the wine with water Still
the cups contained much more wine than
q temperate man Of these days could or
dinarily stand, even with the water The
figures on this cup show a professional
dance OF young and old men walking in
regular alienation, the young men with
hands raised and singing. In the center
Of this cup. as in almost all others, are
painted q pair OF eyes, which are intend
cd 10 charm away the evil spirits.
on another cup Of this type is imprinted
the picture Of young man preparing TO
throw the remnants Of his drinking cup
at a target. This represents a favorite
pastiuae with the ancients, in which was
required considerable skill 70 hit the tar
get which was always a gong, that
sounded when struck. The archaeologists
have discovered that this game brought
about an immense destruction of cups. as
the practice OF throwing them was uni
versal
One Task Of white clay with black lines