Wauwatosa news. [volume] (Wauwatosa, Wis.) 1900-1948, 1921-02-11

cient 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
riod 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 GaIilee are the very
remarkable and interesting remains of
an early Jewish synagogue.
To Restore Ancient Building.
1t Is to be hoped that on the COM
pletiou of the excavation steps will
be taken and the means forthcoming
to restore this ancient building, of
which great portion of the masonry
is lying about. apparently as the re-
suit of some earthquake. Should it
be possible scientifically to recon- -uct
the building it will prove a unique adj
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
bic, 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 eEtirely of marble. 1t Is to
be presumed that the building was pre-
pared i'm 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 secret well mentioned by
one of the early writer's, possibly
remnant of the early sacred lake IF
the famous goddess Derceto.
Ascalon was the home of Herod the
Great, and we are told i'm 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 a ei.
gantic foot measuring over a yard
from heel TO toe, wearing a sandal. the
whole in alabasrer, possibly part of a
huge statue of his time. The chief ~
terest to the scientific world is the o.
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 no
} Rod have been located, as well as
some objects Illustrating their ciyiliza.
ton, Unfortunately, the Philistine lay
er Is at great depth. FIVE to seven me-
ters &c TO % feet) below the surface
and all those interested In the tievelop.
ment Of our knowledge Of Palestine in
Bible times must realize that the work
OF the fund can only be adequately
done II adequately supported.