Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1911-07-07
RUINS OF IVORY HOUSE.
Interesting Discoveries by Excava-
tons in Samaria.

Again patient excavation work in Bible
lands has been rewarded by striking and
important discoveries 1t is suggested
that the remains now unearthed may be
those of Ahabs ivory house q Kings,
NH. 800. Labels with Hebrew writing,
which seem to have been in actual use
during the lifetime and perhaps in the
households, of Omri and Ahab have also
been found. Many Biblical names APP
pear in these writings. such as Elisha.
Asa. Nathan. Uzza Sheba and Abiezer.
These discoveries have been made at
Samaria, the ancient capital of Israel,
writes a Jerusalem correspondent Since
1908 Harvard university has been carry
ing on excavations under the patronage
of Jacob IL. Schiff, of New York, the
chief object being the search for Hebrew
remains. The work of each season has
been mainly at the summit. Here in
1905 was eXcavated an imposing stair
way, with a large altar at its foot. and
a mutilated statue of fine white marble
and excellent workmanship. probably
representing Augustus lying near the al
tar. Near the altar also We're two stelae,
with Latin votive inscriptions dedicated
10 Jupiter Optimus Maximus. Both date
from about the middle of the second CEN
fury or a little later. The altar seemed
TO be of earlier date, probably Herodan.
South of the stairway were the massive
foundations of one or more large build
ngs.
The campaign of 1909 dug out the towers
of the Herodian gateway and part of the
Ierodian city wall on the western side
Of the hill and a portion of the Herodian
basilica adjoining the forum near the
village ON the eastern side. South of the
summit was uncovered a maze of walls
Roman, Greek and Hebrew and others
of less certain designation Near the
base of wall in the Babylonan style
was found a fragment of a cuneform
Inscription.
The conditions at the summit were SC
complicated that the excavations here
called for the most minute observation
The great wall found in 1908, running
south from the stairway, proved to be the
eastern foundation wall of a large Ro-
man building. This was dug out in It's
entirety and there seems to be no doubt
that it is the Augustan temple built by
fIeTod. In 1908 a coin of Herod had beer
found on one of the foundation walls OF
this building There are other walls moi
cOineiding WIN those of Herod, which in
dictate a rebuilding of the temple in in
ferior style. and this may be dated with
much probability, TO the time of Septimus
SeVerus, about A, d, 200
Resting on the rock were found very
heavy walls, so solid that later buildings
| Greek and Roman, used these walls in
places as base ON which to lay THEN
own foundations. The masonry was of a
| style already known as Israelite. consist
| ing of broad walls of large blocks rough
| ly laid In certain places the wall is en-
! tirely gone. but its direction can be seen
/ from that of the portions still standing
and from trenches eat in the rock Fol.
| lowing up these walls and trenches, the
general plan of large building, consist.
| ing of chambers grouped around courts
in the style of an Assyrian palace. pc
came clear
| Here and there stand portions of The
finished wall TO the height of several
, courses of stone. Moreover, two grade: