Wauwatosa news. [volume] (Wauwatosa, Wis.) 1900-1948, 1921-02-11
Valuable Research Work Is
Started Under British Rule
in Palestine.
SHRINES WILL Be RESTORED
Fortress of the Crusaders May Be-
come Memorial to Lord Allenby--
Excavations in Garden of Geth-
semane Started Last Spring.

notwithstanding to a Liverpool
correspondent of the Times the dis
covery of a very early Christian
church in the Garden of Gethsemane
has directed attention to the valu-
able work which is being carried out
in Palestine under the direction of
the newly formed department of an
tiques. Sir Herbert Samuel recog-
nixed from the outset of - career
as high commissioner that the whole
world was anxious that all possible
care should be taken of the monu-
ments, and every facility afforded for
investigating the history OF the Holy
Land. He called to his aid the de
rector of the British School of Archie
oiogy in Jerusalem, who is now home
once more after strenuous work which
he has had the qualification of seeing
bear fruit.
Excavations In the Garden of Geth-
semane were begun by the Franciscans
IN the spring of last year, and they dis
covered church Of the thirteenth CEN
fury. In digging the foundations for
new building on the spot they dis
covered traces of a much earlier
church on a slightly different axis.
They duly received permission to ex-
cavate this earlier building, which
proved to be church of about tl.-
fourth century. and Que of the oldest
monuments to Christianity in Pales-
tine. The whole of the outside wall
can be traced, together with the two
rows of columns which supported the
aisles, and three apses. the central one
are well preserved, though snail. re-
mains of the original mosaic floor.
The Franciscans have undertaken to
preserve these remains Ia such way
that they will be permanently visible ;
even though new church he built. Ii
will he designed 10 inclose the old
church, and steps will he taken TO dis
tinguish the outline Of the ancient
structure and to preserve the pavement
and the bases OF columns in way that
is quite satisfactory. Tie central apse
of this building reaches out just be-
yond the modern limits of the garden
toward the rocks which are usually as
ISOLATED with the Agony of Christ II
has been arranged that the work shall
be completed by the Board If Antiqui-
ties on behalf of the gtyernment.
Rome architectural fragments, includ-
ing columns, with capitals in CORN.
titan style. came to light in the course
OF the excavation.
Plan Memorial to AIlenby.
One of the first acts Of the new gov.
eminent under Sir Herbert Samuel
was to organize department of antiq-
uitles. the principal function of which
IS the protection of all THE historical
xtes and monuments In Palestine and
at the same time to encourage learned
societies TO make scientific excaya-
tions The historical monuments Of
Palestine are not merely interesting
from an antiquarian point of view, but
have a human and a religious interest
for the great bulk of humanity. Ac-
cordlngly, an international board has
been established to advise the director
OF antiquities on matters of common
interest TO the different local societies
and schools OF foreign powers engaged
In archaeological research.
One of the most holy places of Mo-
hammednnism. Familiarity known as the
Mosque of Omar. which is also one of