Northern Wisconsin advertiser. [volume] (Wabeno, Wis.) 1898-1925, 1904-08-18
EXCAVATIONS IN SYRIA.

| United States Consul G.. Bic Ravn-
dial, of Beirut, Syria, forwards under
date of May q, 1904, a report on the
recent archaeological discoveries at the
Tell ell Mutesellim, the supposed site
of MegiGdo of the Isrealite kings, a
city fortified by Solomon and held by
the early Pharaohs of Egypt between
1000 and 5000 B. C. The excavations
are in charge of Gottlieb Schumacher,
Phi. D., G. E., consular agent of the
United States at Haifa, with whom
Consul Ravndal hopes that American
universities or scientific organizations
will see their way clear to cooperate
in the exploration of Palestine. Mr..
Ravndal says:
THE site of Megiddo is located on
the southern border of the plain Of
Esdraelon, in the country of Samaria,
eighteen miles to the southeast of
Haifa, in the present district of Js1n
and Nabulus. The Tell ell Mut9Sellim
( reaches an altitude of 626 feet above
the Mediterranean and is the most
commanding point overlooking the
great plain of Es%faelon and Jezreel.
It's superficial area is sixteen asres.
In the immediate neighborhood is sit
uated the ancient Roman city of Legio,
the Lejjoun of today.
The excavations are carried on in
behalf of the German Society for the
Exploration of Palestine cat Leipsig)
and the German Orient Gesellschaft,
and are patronized by the German
emperor, who has contributed largely
to the funds of both organizations.
The excavations were commenced
in April, 1908, and have been continu-
ed, with short Interruptions, up to the
present time They will be completed,
is expected, within the next FIVE
years.
Among the interesting discoveries
made by Dr. Schumacher may be
mentioned:
l. A large prehistoric temple or
castle with fertilization wall of
small stone and dried brick (opus
reticulatum). Canaanite.
2. A stone altar and cistern for
receiving blood and bones of the sac
rifice. No tools used Canaanite.
8. A large subterranean chamber
built of blocks of hard limestone,
one overleaning the other. Probably
a treasury. Canaanite.
4. Human graves, or foundation
sacrifices, with Il collection of very
interesting weapons, jars and instru-
ments of bronze and bone, of the date
of the so-called bronze age, 100000
B. c.
ga beautifully curt jasper seal, re-
presenting roaring lion and bearing
the inscription, "Of Shima, abed of
Jeroboam" (1ing of IsreaD, $50 B. c..
Presented to the sultan.
6. A Babylonian cylinder of jasper
with cuneiform inscriptions.
z. Twelve monoliths or messebas
OF stone adored and used as holy
shrines by the Isrealites of the DAYS
of the kings of Isreal. The nonoliths
bear ancient Hebrew letters on Their
surfaces.
8. An Esrealite shrine containiA
two messesbas and nine Jars Ill
with infant bones sacrifices of
primogenitary and of twins.
children were suffocated WITH
earth and ashes filled into the
accordance with a cruel
Phoenician cult.
8. Quite a num4f of
i'm Stp,a
specimens of the Oldest
terry, glass, stone and
scarabs, etc.
10. A huge wall
bricks, like those in
uring II to q feet y
the Tell Ell Mutesellil
Up to date the deg
ried down So feet. 4
natural ground, the u
ing distinctly visibls
therefore yet be disd
scientific Importance
Megiddo.
The firman under W
tons are being prosecu
Schumacher's name.