The Adair County news. [volume] (Columbia, Ky.) 1897-1987, 1921-02-23

America, with very considerable re- !
sources, Is arranging to excavate here.
Streets Of Ascaion Opened.
A very interesting discovery was
made at the close of the war near
Jericho, where the remains of an an
Gent Jewish synagogue, having mo-
sale paved floor with an inscription in
early Hebrew characters worked into
the pavement design, were found The
excavation of this is to be completed
by the very learned Dominican archie
ologists representing the French school
of archaeology in Palestine. A young
and vigorous Jewish archaeological so
ciety is making preliminary exam
ination of various sites of interest In
Jewish history, notably Artuf,
Caesarea and liberia. The latter is
proving to be of particular interest and
attention was directed to it early after
the British occupation, when numerous
traces of ancient buildings of the Pc
Rod Of Talmud, just south of the town,
were brought to light by roadmakers
and engineers In the course of their
duties. Overlooking the northern
shore of the Sea of Galilee are the very
remarkable and interesting remains of
an early Jewish synagogue.
1t is to be hoped that on the COM
pletion Of the excavation steps will
be taken and the means Forthcoming
to restore this ancient building, of
which a great portion Of the masonry
Is lying about, apparently as the re-
suit Of some earthquake. Should it
be possible scientifically to reconstruct
the building 1T will prove unique ad-
dition to the wonders of Palestine.
The chief feature Of the last year in
the work of excavation has been the
opening of the work at Ascalon, which
has been undertaken by the Palestine
Exploration fund. The results are not
yet published, but are Of remarkable
promise. A very fine building of Ro-
man date-namely, a massive temple
or forum built entirely of Greek mar
BILE, possibly the Temple of the For
tune or City Goddess, was one of the
wonders discovered. The columns of
this building weighed nine tons each,
and the capitals three tons. The whole
structure, both floors, walls and cob
umns, is entirely of marble. 1t is to
be presumed that the building was pre-
pared In one of the Greek islands and
transhipped, ready for construction, to
Ascalon during the first or second
century of our era. Traces have been
found of a secret well mentioned by
one Of the early writer's, possibly a
remnant of the early sacred lake Of
the famous goddess Derceto.
Ascalon was the home of Herod the
Great, and we are told in early litera-
ture that he greatly embellished the
city with splendid colonnades. 1t will
In time be possible to recognize these.
One of the objects discovered Is 81
| gantic foot, measuring over a yard
from heel to toe, wearing sandal, the
whole in alabaster, possibly part of
huge statue Of his time. The chief In
terest to the scientific world is the ef-
fort which the Palestine Exploration
fund is making to recover some tan
! gible remains of the Philistines and
their civilization, and it is believed
that the layers representing this pc
Rod have been located, as well as
some objects Illustrating their civiliza-
ton. Unfortunately, the Philistine lay
er Is at a great depth, five to seven me
tiers lie to % feet) below the surface.
and all those interested In the develop
ment of our knowledge of Palestine In
Bible times must realize that the work
of the fund can only be adequately
done If adequately supported.