The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-06-21
NEW INDUSTRY FOR WOMEN.
They Are Learning to Translate Hero
 glyphcs for Archaeologists.


 It is said that the University of Penn tfons 30 900 bricks from Nippur, the hiero- glyphics on which have not yet been de- ciphered. Every museum in Europe which collects this material that many tablets covered with Egyptian or Babylonian in- scriptions which have not yet been de- ciphered, because no competent person Las had the time to undertake the work.
 It occurred a while ago to Miss M A. Murray, who Is an assistant of w. M. Flinders-Petrie. the Psychologist, that here was an opportunity for bright young women to learn a new vocation which would give them plenty of employment and fair means of livelihood. With the aid of the archaelogists of America and Great Britain she has already established a school of correspondence, and though she is herself engaged in the work In Egypt she is teaching the art of deciph- erirg Egyptian hieroglyphics to number of young women in America and England
 A number of women students at liar yard, Cornell and the University of Penn sylvania. hearing of the opportunity for usefulness have also begun to study in- scription reading. It is a task Involving a great deal of labor. but to the order of mind which is naturally adapted to this kind of research 1t Is extremely interest ing.
 Prof Hilprecht, the archaeologlst. Is heartily in favor of young women whose mental qualities fit them for this work taking the studies that will make them competent translators. Miss Murray has just issued a primer of hieroglyphics, based on scientific principles which will facilitate these studies
 All archaeologists say that there is great need for trained translators in Egyptian and Babylonian inscriptions, and that flair remuneration can be obtained for com potent work. No young woman, however, should be encouraged to undertake the great labor of preparation for 1t unless she has natural adaptation for that kind of study.
 Archaeological research was never more active than today, and every year is add ing very important treasures to the collec- ton already made As the latest number of Biblia remarks, every year is bringing some new treasures from the soil of Egypt
 Within the past few years the discovery and dccipherment of Greek papiry have restored to literature the Sayings of Our Lord" the Oradons of IIyperides, the Odes of Bacchilides. the Mines of Herod- otus, and Aristotle "On the Constitution of Athens" One of the most brilliant and striking discoveries of recent years is that made by Dr. Ludwig Borchardt at Aboukir, Egypt, where he is working un- der the auspices of the German Oriental Society.
 He found In a Greek tomb of the fourth century before Christ a Greek roll in- scribed with the second part of "The Per sians" of Timotheus, poem which in an- tiquty eniovcd great popularity. but has been utterly lost for nearly 2000 years. Tinnotheus was Greek lyri3t who lived in the time of Plato 400 years before the christian era. and whose work was re- markable for it's originality and novelty. During his life he was hailed by many of his contemporaries as the greatest of poets. but for some reason his works were forgotten by posterity.
 The recovery of Q considerable part of one of his masterpieces promises to fli what has been a gap in the history of Greek literature. The manuscript has the distinction of not only being the first ex- ample that has come to us of the work of Timotheus. but also of being the oldest Greek manuscript known.