New-York tribune., 1905-08-24
DISCOVERIES AT DEL0S.
Rare Coins of Ancient Greece I'm
earthed by French.
Paris, August 3.

Paris. August 8.
The archaeological excavations in the island Of
Delos, which for three years have been carried
out by the French School of Athens, first by NJ
Iheophile Homolle. curator of the Louvre
Museum. and later by NJ. Maurice Holleaux, d.
rector Of the French School Of Archaeology, and
toward which the Duke of Loubat makes year
ly contribution of $4,000 continue to yield good
results, M. Holeaux. in letter from Delos. dated
August ?, the substance of which has been COM
municated 10 the Academy of Inscriptions and
Belles-Lettres. announces the discovery of three
leaden vases, containing Athenian coins. The
largest vase held 24e coins of four drachnas each
made during the rule of the Archontes. These
coins are in admirable state of preservation
and seem never to have been in circulation
Another leaden Jar contained 172 coins. dating
from the same period. and in a third jar were
found thirty six coins, in gold and some In
silver. The jars were under the cellars of houses
at considerable depth below the surface. The
jars were all carefully sealed. Numismatologists
consider this to he the most important discovery
of ancient coins ever made in Greece
NJ. Holleaux has also informed the Academy
of Inscriptions and Belles-Lettres that he has
unearthed six small statues in good state Of
preservation, but which must be we'll repaired
before being photographed. These statues are in
marble and represent the muses. in different
attitudes Two inscriptions stone have also
been dug up by NJ. Holeaux in Delos. One OF
these relates TO the King of Macedonia, Antlgone
Doson; and the other contains the text Of a law
regulating the sale of wood and charcoal in the
Island OF Delos. NJ Holleaux is now working
at the buried houses. These excavations. TO-
gether with those which led TO the discovery OF
the Delos Venus and other statues, inscriptions
relics of the great Temple of Delos and private
a., icb ma
ago. show that the results. toward which an
American citizen the Duke of Loubat, has so
generously contributed will equal in archaeo-
logical value the famous excavations made at
Delphi Owing TO the light that the Delos dis
coveries cast upon daily life and household Gus
toms Delos promises to become the Grecian
Pompeii.
In the interest Of the public in France. as we'll
as abroad it is great pity that the Academy OF
inscriptions and Belles-Lettres is such an ex-
tremely close and conservative corporation IN
regard to supplying photographs of the objects
brought to light in the course of these highly
ironor+ant excavations. The Academy, which in
this respect pursues a dog-in- the-manger policy,
absolutely refuses to allow the publication OF
anv photographs until they shall have first ap-
neared in its own regular official bulletins. This
causes vexatious delay, and certainly takes the
edge of the public appetite for these rare and
highly valuable archaeological treasures The
Delos Venus for instance, is one of the finest
works of ancient Greece. but the Academy or
Inscriptions and Belles-Lettres. with rigid cast
iron regulations worthy Of the tribunal of the
Areopagus from which the venerable "Old Nor
tality" antiquarians who compose this society
Of modern archons draw many of their insplra-
ttons withholds the photographs from the pub
lie in order 70 add to the brilliancy Of its own
reports, which. TO use a nautical expression
make their appearance a long way behind the
lighthouse" This is greatly 10 be regretted, he
cause the Academy, and notably the School Of
Athens. which labors under its auspices is &C
cornplishing splendid work. c l. b