The Adair County news. [volume] (Columbia, Ky.) 1897-1987, 1921-02-23
Valuable Research Work Is
Started Under British Rule
in Palestine.
SaRINES WILL BE RESTORED
Fortress of the Crusaders May Be-
come Memorial to Lord AlIenby-
Excavations in Garden of Geth-
semape Started Last Spring.

cOYery or very early CnrlSClan
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-
nized from the outset of his 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 d.
rector Of the British School Of Archie
ology 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
coyered church of the thirteenth GEN.
fury. In digging the foundations for
a 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 a church of about the
fourth century, and one of the oldest
monuments to Christianity in Pales-
tine. The whole of the outside wall
can De traced, together with the two
rows of columns which supported the
aisles, and three apses, the central one
being the largest. Here and there
are well preserved, though small, re-
mains Of the original mosaic floor.
The Franciscans have undertaken to
preserve these remains In such way
that they will be permanently visible;
even though a new church be built, 1t
will be designed to inclOse the old
church, and steps will be 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. The 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 of Antiqui-
ties on behalf Of the government.
Some architectural fragments, includ-
ing columns, with capitals In CORN
THAN style, came to light in the course
of the excavation.
Plan Memorial to AIIenby.
One of the first acts of the new gov
eminent under Sir Herbert Samuel
was to organize department of antiQ-
uities, the principal function Of which
Is the protection Of all the historical
sites and monuments In Palestine and
at the same time to encourage learned
societies to make scientific excava-
lions. The historical monuments Of
Palestine are not merely interesting
from an antiquarian point Of view, but
have a human and religious interest
for the great bulk of humanity. Ac-
cordingIy, 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-
hammedanism, Familiarity known as the
Mosque of Omar, which is also one of
the most beautiful Moslem buildings
extant, is here The earlier develop
ment of the Jewish kingdom will be
traceable by systematic excavation
~
along the Ridge of Ophel as far as the
site of the Temple.
There are many interesting build
ings of Mohammedans and Crusaders,
not only Ia Jerusalem, but scattered
through the country. One of the most
imposing of the Crusaders structures
is the great fortress at Athlit; on the
coast between Haifa and Jaffa. This
is the place from which Richard Occur
de Lion finally evacuated his forces
1t is a wonderful and imposing ruin,
and the government of Palestine is lay
ing its plans for the systematic pre-
serving and opening up of the monu-
ment 1t has been suggested that its
restoration would be fitting memo
rial to Lord Allenby, and though no
action has been taken officially in this
direction. the appropriateness of such
4 course is generally recognized.
Promising sites, dating further back
into the earlier history of Palestine be.
fore the Jews, are also awaiting exca.
walton. One Of these is the ancient
fortress of Magfddo, famous as far
back as the time Of the Pharaohs, and
an American university is proposing
to make a complete examination Of
this site. Another is Beisan, which
lies at the junction Of the Vale OF
,EsdraeIon, with the Valley of the Jor
dan In a commanding position. aptly
described by George Adam Smith as
the key TO Palestine. This site. is nov
marked by imposing mounds. which
have long been a source Of surreph
tiOus digging by curio hunters and
dealers 1t is very satisfactory to b
able to say that second university II