Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1916-02-19
NEW DISCOVERIES IN
OLD CITY OF TIRYNS

the Associated Press. l-Some of the
most important archaeological discov-
cries of the past generation have just
been made around the ancient city OF
Tiryns, which, according to one leg
end, was the birthplace OF Hercules.
The walls of the city are scribed to
the Cyclops, and earlier excavations
there have unearthed some remark
able examples of Cyclopean architec-
ture
A number of workmen, digging at
the Greek agricultural school, some
fifty yards beyond the wall of the an
cient city, recently came upon some
copper fragments evidently of very
early date The work was promptly
stopped and guard placed over the
spot until Professor Arvanitopoulos
could be called from Athens to direct
the excavation.
On the arrival of the eminent Greek
archaeologist the work was conducted
with the utmost care. The first dis
SoNCly was pCilCNtly pICoS1 fCu
cauldron, near which was a copper
tripod in excellent state of preserva-
ton, bearing has reliefs of animals
and birds-a rare piece. In rapid Or
der followed a huge copper plaque,
three copper handles, three great
swords, two copper brooches, and some
fragments of Mycenian pottery.
The copper cauldron was full OF
earth, and Professor Arvanitopoulos
sifted it out carefully Here he made
his great find-some golden beads evil
IDENTIFY belonging to valuable collar
some little gold plaques studded with
jewels, some wires of gold, and large
ring engraved to depict round boat
upon which are several passengers
about to land; four men and women
on shore are shown coming out of a
doorway to meet the travellers Pro
fessor Arvanitopoulos pronounced the
ring most interesting and valuable
from an archaeological point of view
as we'll as intrinsically There was
|
diameter, with beads of amber as
spokes Professor Arvanitopoulos be
| lieves that this was used as hair or
nament, worn on the temples In ad
dition to the five hundred gold bead:
and gold wires upon which they ma!
have been strung, together with {
number of little gold plaques which
may have also belonged to the collar
four more gold rings were found, sim
pier, however, than the engraved one
several pieces of conical money, alst
gold; a considerable assortment o
beads of amber as we'll as of SOM
softer matter, and tube bearing
hieroplyphs The chief treasure
however, was another ring Of gold
large as a small egg, and engraved OIL
the plaque of which represents god
dess seated on throne, to whom fou
lions are bringing offerings: behint
the goddess is a tree on the branche
of which bird is perched, and behint
the tree, the horizon is indicated, witt
v Uoll sun anu ouOWH III tHC VI
cinity of an Homeric architrave
The copper cauldron with its prec
ious contents was found near tn
ruins Of some huts dating from 1900 L
c., and it is thought that the article
buried in the cauldron are of tina
period Continuing his investigation
in the same neighborhood, Professo
Armanitopoulos discovered a ruine
temple of the sixth or fifth century I
c.. as well as tomb in the shape G
vault, in which he is now engage
in making even more valuable discoy
cries than that Of the copper cauldro
and its treasure. In the presence c
the king and queen of Greece and tn
Princess Helene. Professor Aryanitc
poulos deposited his golden treasure
in the museum OF Athens.