Pierre weekly free press. (Pierre, S.D.) 1889-19??, 1916-03-30
cYCLOPEAN RUINS GIVE
UP ANCIENT SECRETS

Athens-Some Of the most important
archaeological discoveries Of the past
generation hav just been made around
the ancient city Of Tiryns. which, 40
cording to one legend, was the birth
place of Hercules. The walls of the
earlier excavations there have UNI
earthed some remarkable examples of
Cyclopean architecture.
A number of workmen, digging at the
Greek agricultural school some SO
yards beyond the walls of the ancient
fragments evidently of very early
date. The work was promptly stop
ped and a guard placed owe the spot
until Professor Arvanitopoulos could
be called from Athens to direct the ex-
cayation.
On the arrival of the eminent Gre,
archaeologist, the work was conduct, -
with the utmost care. The first dis
covery was a perfectly preserved
cauldron, near which was a copper
tripod in excellent state Of conserva-
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
swards, two copper brooches and some
fragments Of Mycenian pottery.
The copper cauldron was full of
earth, and Professor Arvanitopoulos
S1fted 1t out carefully. Here he made
his great find-some golden beads evil
IDENTIFY belonging to a valuable collar,
some little gold plaques studded with
Jewels, some wires of gold and a large
ring engraved to depict a round boat
upon which are several passengers
about to land; four men and women on
shore are shown coming out of a door
way to meet the Travellers. Professor
Arvanitopoulos pronounced the ring
most interesting and yo11inhta from, an
archaeological point of view, as well as
intrinsically. There was also a gold
wheel some five inches in diameter,
with beads of amber as spokes. Pro-
lessor Arvanitopoulos believes that
his was used as a hair ornament, worn
gold beads and gold wires upon which
hey may have been strung, together
with a number of little gold plaques
which may have also belonged to the
collar, our more gold rings were
found, simpler, however, than the en-
graved one; evera pieces Of conical
money, also gold; a considerable as
sortment of beads Of amber as well as
of some softer matter and a tube
bearing hieroglyphs. The chief treas
ure, however, was another ring Of gold,
large as a small egg. the engraving on
the plaque of which represents a god
dess seated on a throne, to whom foul
oALCAli5op AZ
the goddess Is a tree on the branch OF
which a bird is perched. and behind the
tree. the horizon Is indicated. with
both sun and moon shown in the vicM-
tty of an homeric architrave.
The copper cauldron with it's precious
contents was found near the uin of
some huts dating from 1900 B. c., and
1t is thought hat the articles buried
In the cauldron are of that period. Con
tinuing his Investigations in the same
neighborhood, Professor Arvanitopou-
los discovered a ruined temple of the
Sixth or Fifth century b. c., as well as
a tomb in the shape of a vault in
which he is now engaged in making
even more valuable discoveries than
that of the copper caulldron and it's
treasure. In the presence Of the king
and queen Of Greece and the Princess
Helen, Professor Arvanitopoulos de-
posted his golden treasures in the
Museum of Athens.