Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1921-06-21

women were shot at one day by a fanatic
who resented their intrusion in the hollow
beneath the rock where Mohammed prayed.
Archaeologists were regarded with special
suspicion.
Scientists interested in excavations in Je-
rusalem tried every possible means to get
permission to explore the ground beneath the
huge rock, but with scant success. The Turks
opposed any digging because it was prohib-
tied for any one to touch the rock. Once a
year, at special ceremony, a high function
airy dared to dust off the surface and collect
the dust, which was sold as a potent cure
for sore eyes.
The regions below the rock too, the Turks
wished kept free from contamination. They
did not agree exactly what was beneath the
surface. Some believed that the rock must
rest on the branches of palm tree at the
roots of which all the rivers of the world had
their source. Others held that the rock was
just over Paradise, and still others thought
it led down to Hades. In any case, 1t was
unanimously agreed among the Moslems that
the rock was no place TO-. a mortal to go
poking around.
A Secret Exploration
One bold attempt to solve some of the
fascinating mysteries was made by several
Englishmen some ten years ago. They found
a curator who saw no harm in their digging
around the place, provided the arrangements
were satisfactory to him and no damage was
done. The scientists were allowed to dig
and explore when the building was empty.
1t was hazardous business, because all day
long Moslems came to regard the precious
rock. After few hours work at night all
traces of disturbed ground and all tools must
be carefully concealed. With these disad-
vantages the Englishmen made little prog
ress before they were discovered. They fled
the city at once, even while the irate Mo-
hammedans were crying to the authorities
fnY hat oTric0 ant or
Another excavator received permission
from the civil authorities to explore beneath
the rock in the cavern where Mohammed
prayed. But he got only a little way with
his digging when antagonism became so in
tence that permission had to be withdrawn.
Now the restrictions of Turkish scupulous-
ness are removed. The temple area has as
many historic and religious associations for
the Christian and the Jew as it had for the
Turk, but both of the former would like the
temple mysteries solved. The Ark of the
Covenant, even such fragments as might re-
main, after all these years, would be Of in
finite value to the Jews, most of whom have
avoided the temple area for fear Of treading
over the spot where the Ark or Laws of
Moses may be hidden. The tablets of the
law were kept within the Ark in the inner
most part of the temple. The reason for
thinking that they may be found here is that
Jeremiah, the prophet, was said to have hid
den the Ark on Mount Moriah, the hill on
which the Dome of the Rock stands.
The seven-branched candlestick which was
one of the most prominent temple furnish
ings is another missing relic. This candE-
stick was unique, being five feet high, O.
beaten gold, and worth about $685. in our
money. After Titus sacked Jerusalem he Is
supposed to have taken it to Rome to be car
ried in his triumphal procession.
This is borne out by the carvings on the
Arch of Titus in Rome showing the candle
stick as it was carried. Whether it ever
found it's way back to Jerusalem is not known.