The St. Charles herald. [volume] (Hahnville, La.) 1873-1993, 1921-03-05

Gent Jewish synagogue, having a 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 a 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.
To Restore Ancient Building.
| It 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 it 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
lyet published, but are Of remarkable
promise. 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 col
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
AscaiOn during the first or second
century Of our era Traces have been
found Of secret well mentioned by
one of the early writer's, possibly a
remnant Of the early sacred lake u
the famous goddess DercetO.
Ascalon was the home of Herod the
Great, and we are told in early litera
! ture that he greatly cmbellished the
city with splendid colonnades. 1t viii
in time be possible to recognize these
One of the objects discovered is 81
gantic foot, measuring over yar(
from heel to toe, wearing a sandal, thu
whole in alabasrer. possibly part Of 1
huge statue of his time. The chief in
|, terest to the scientifi" world is the eff
. fort which the Palestine Exploration
fund is making to recover some tan
gible remains of the Philistines ant
!, their civilization, and it Is believed
!. that the layers representing this pc
: Rod have been located, as well a
: some objects illustrating their civilizs
J lion. Unfortunately, the Philistine lay
: er is at great depth. five to seven me
: ters (16 to q feet) below the surface
: and all those interested In the develop
. ment of our knowledge of Palestine Il
u Bible times must realize that tue wOr
r Of the fund can only be ades,uatel
done IL adequately supported.