Omaha daily bee., 1905-05-07
NEW CHAPTER IN HISTORY
Excavations in Crete Throw Addi-
tiOnaI Light on Early civil
ixatiOn of Isla

ATHENS, May 6-(Speciai -y.,stam 10
The Bee. .)-Reports from Khossos in Creto
Indicate that the present exploration
campaign is proceeding slowly. About 100
workmen are now engaged and most OF
them are occupied in excavating further
the additional magazine seat of the palace
which was discovered towards the end OF
last season. This magazine was found in
pursuing the line of the ancient roadway,
which left the palace in that direction and
which may possibly lead to some important
building. Unfortunately, however, the
recent heavy rains have caused the collapse
of floor above the singularly interesting
staircase in several flights with a colonade
opening on TO an inner court which was
aiscoye RED two years ago in what Is
obviously the womens quarter of the
palace. Unless this portion of the building
was to be allowed to fall to pieces which
no one could desire, immediate steps had
to be taken to strengthen it with masonry,
SO as to preserve its chacterisic features.
This was all the more necessary and urgent
because of the approaching archaeological
congress at Athens and the determination
of the members to visit the site. Naturally
Mr.. Evans was anxious to be able to show
SO distinguished a company of scholars, all
that could be seen Of the famous palace.
According to. Mr.. Doll, now acting as
architect to the British school here in
Athens and who has been sent TO specially
attend TO the work, everything is being
placed in the best conditions
Nothing is more striking to one who
visits the site for the first time than the
care taken throughout by the explorer to
preserve by skillful repair and recon
struction all the features which give this
ms prtA htti fte oh Nfor
The throne room, of which SO much has
been said and written is now rooted in and
protected. The two "Mycenaean' columns,
swelling from a narrow base, have been
| restored from the existing fragments and
| from indications of similar columns which
occur in the tIeScoes. This is the most
| complete attempt at restoration, but else
where walls have been strengthened at all
| important points. and staircases built 10
| facilitate access from one level to another,
so that the meaning of the several portions
| of this most complicated series of courts
and chambers might be made as clear as
possible.
At present work is being concentrated on
| the repair OF the fallen staircase and on
the further excavation Of the old roadway
running out TO the west cross and much
below the line of the present road from
Gambia. Trial pits are being sunk in tht
deep slope above the modern road, and one
OF these has just yielded fragment of q
stone vase of micaceous schist with beau
| tiful raised design of nautiluses and flowers
which may be taken as an encouraging
! sign.
Mr.. Evans will vigorously pursue thes'
and other Investigations within the palace
area No one who has had the privileg,
| OF visiting the museum In Gambia, whert
the various finds from Knossas, Phaetoa
Cournia, zakrow, Palaickastro and othe
Cretan sites so wonderfully supplement
and illustrate one another can doubt tina
this collection represents an entirely nev
chapter in the history of civilization to tn,
discovery of which Mr.. Evans led the way