The Washington herald., 1908-07-12

The discovery Of an ancient synagogue
which may turn out 10 have been the
temple in which Jesus worshiped and
taught is mentioned by Prof. David G.
Lyon in his Harvard theological Review
article on Recent Excavations in Pales-
tine"
The synagogue was Unearthed by the
German Oriental Society In April and
May, 1875. II lay beneath small accumu-
lations Of earth. and is about $50 feet
from the northern end Of the Sea OF
Galilee
IN size. the synagogue Is 50 by 50 feet on
the sides Of the nave. and al the rear end
is a colonnade, which supports loft or
gallery. At the south side IS a large CEN
tral door and two side doors. and the
roof IS gable-shaped About the doors.
above the columns. and elsewhere, was
seen much carving Of fine garlands, fruits.
flowers, and geometrical designs. In many
cases this work has been Intentionally
mutilated. BY some II is regarded as a
possibility that this was the synagogue
built for the nation by the. centurions,
and. therefore, the place where Jesus
worshiped and taught
Theory OF Human Sacrifice.
The great direct gain OF the excava-
tons says Prof. Lyon, pertains 10 the
earlier history OF the country. TO COM
munities and the culture in general, rather
! than to individuals OF 10 specific historic
events. OF the earlier populations we
now know their massive city walls and
the materials and plans Of their houses.
their weapons and household utensils, TIE
foods which they ate and the animals
which served them. their method OF
burial, and something Of their religious
beliefs and practices. the stage Of their
advance in art. and their intercourse with
the outside nations-Egypt, Babylon. and
the islands OF the Mediterranean"
Prof. Lyon adds that the Hebrew civil
ization IN its material elements was not
different from that Of the Canaanites.
Another interesting discovery made by
the German Oriental Society is the finding
In the heart Of ancient Cappadocia, Asia
Minor. not far from the town OF Angora,
OF a vast number or clay tablets bearing
Cuneiform inscriptions dating from the
fourteenth and fifteenth centuries before
Christ
The finders and all scholars who have
seen them believe them 70 be the library
Of the kings Of the Hittite empire. and
expect that when these tablets have been
translated a great contribution Will be
made 20 modern knowledge Of the ancient
Orient.
Hittite Capital.
DR.. winckler. in charge Of the excava-
tions. believes he has likewise discovered
the capital city Of the Hittite monarchy.
The town was built in terraces on the
slope Of a hill and walled with numerous
prominent towers and bastons-
The principal wall was over sixteen feet
thick. built OF wood and clay on stone
foundations. Inside the walls were dec
grated with reliefs OF lions. There is also
a magnlfcently rendered figure Of a young
warrior, probably a Hittite king.
The tablets were found IN the ruins OF
: what must have been an immense temple,
approached from all sides of the city by
paved streets. Numerous storehouses in
the vicinity OF this temple were discov-
cred. containing many vessels OF clay.
With regard 20 the tablets. these appear
10 be historical archives OF the seven
, Hitute monarchs and the correspondence
Of these kings with the contemporary
rulers Of Egypt and Assyria. There IS
also the text Of treaty Of peace between
o the Hittites and Rameses II Of Egypt.
An interesting fact that Or Wincklel
o makes clear Is that women played an i'm
: portant part in politics in those days
. He cites a letter sent from the wife OF
IRameses to her royal sister OF the Hittites
commenting on the treaty and expressing
o h-- satisfaction az its ratification.
: The learned doctor seems inclined 70 the
. opinion that the Hittites were an Indo
GermanIc people, as certain references Il
- the tablets point TO their acquaintance
q with the gods OF India Mira. and Indra.