The L'Anse sentinel., 1921-03-04
Valuable Research Work !:
Started Under British Rule
in Palestine.
SHRINES WILL Be RESTORED
Fortress of the Crusaders May Be-
come Memorial to Lord AIlenby-
Excavations in Garden Of Geth-
semane Started Last Spring.

London.--According to Liverpool
correspondent of the Times the dis
covery of 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-
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 di-
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
covered church Of the thirteenth CEN
tury. In digging the foundations for
new building on the spot they dis
church on a slightly different axis.
They duly received permission to ex-
cavate this earlier building, which
proved to be church Of about tine
fourth century, and one 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
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, II
will be designed to inclose the old
church, and steps will be taken to dis
tipguish 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
sociated with the Agony of Christ. 1t
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 Corin-
THAN style, came to light In the course
Of the excavation.
/. Plan Memorial to AIIenby.
One of the first acts Of the new gov
ernment under Sir Herbert Samuel
was to organize department OF antiq-
uities, the principal function of which
is the protection Of oil the historical
sites and monuments In Palestine and
at the same time to encourage learned
societies to make scientific excava-,
tions. The historical monuments OF
Palestine are not merely interesting
from an antiquarian point of view, but
have human and religious interest
for the great bulk of humanity Ac-
cordingly, an International board has
been established to advise the director
OF antiquities on matters Of commQn
interest to the different local societies
and schools Of foreign powers engaged
In archaeological research
One Of the most holy places of No
hammedanism, familiarIy known az the
Mosque Of Omar. which 10 also one II