Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1921-02-17
FREDERICK COUNTY, MD, THURSDAY FEBRUARY H. 1921
America, with very considerable re-
sources, Is arranging to excavate here.
Streets of AscaIon Opened.

sources, Is arranging to excavate here.
Streets Of Ascalon Opened.
A very interesting discovery was
made at the close of the war near
Jericho, where the remains of an an
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
OlCgists 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 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 Il great portion of the masonry
Is lying about, apparently as the re-
suit of some earthquake Should 1t
be possible scientifically to reconstruct
the building it will prove unique ad-
dition to the wonders of Palestine.
The chief festure 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 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
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 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 coionnades. 1t will
in time he possible to recognize these.
One of the objects discovered IS gi-
gantic foot, measuring over yard
from heel to toe, wearing sandal, the
whole in alabaster, possibly part of
huge statue of his time. The chief in.
ter"st to the scientific world is the eff
fort which the Palestine Exploration
fund Is making to recover some tan.
gible remains of the Philistines and
their civilization, and 1t Is believed
that the layers representing this pc
Rod have been located, as we'll IL
some objects illustrating their civiliza
ton. Unfortunately, the Philistine lay
er Is at a great depth, five to seven me
tiers nc to % feet) below the surface
and all those interested In the develop
ment of our knowledge of Palestine II
Bible times must realize that the worl
of the fund can only be adequatel,
done If adequately supported.