Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1922-03-02
TO DIG UP ANCIENT CARTHAGE.

from Paris to tho New York Times, q |
number OF Americans and Frenchmen |
interested in archaeology have formed
a project 20 undertake extensive ex-
cavation and restoration work on the
site OF the ancient city OF Carthage.
The leader OF the movement. Fran
cs Byron Kuhn. who has already APP
preached the French authorities. has
obtained their sanction. and has also
succeeded I'm interesting several
French archaeologists and American
residents OF Paris. who are attracted
by the artistic and historic Importance
of the scheme. The father OF the plan
who for many years lived among tho
ruins OF Carthage and gave all he pos
sessed TO his dream OF restoring the
wonderful Phocnician capital. lie died
there without seeing tho fruits OF his
life's work. which are now TO be
gathered by others.
A preliminary expedition, starting
out in the middle OF March TO examine
the ground. will take Photographic
films 1t will include. besides Mr..
Kuhn. Miss J. Osborn. daughter OF
Prof. Henry L. Osborn. the Amerl-
can explorer; Marquis dEstailleur de
Chsnteraine. young French writer.
who recently returned from diplo-
-natic mission 70 Syria; Lieut.. Col
Simmons and ]. Mcleod. The archae-
olosists In charge viii he Father De-
lattre and DR.. Carton, who have spent
most Of their lives In Carthage. II is
planned subsequently 10 organize a
lecture in the United States to show
the nlms taken with view to raising
funds TO carry out the excavation and
restoration work.
When II is recalled how much has
been done In bringing 70 light and
knowledge the rich stores OF treasures
buried under the ruins OF Pompeii
Herculaneum and other cities OF re-
mote ages which were destroyed ,y
the erupuons OF volcanoes, by earth
ouakes or other convulsions OF nature
the project for research in the ruins
Of the famous old city OF Carthage
opens tip rich prospects OF most inter
esting discoveries and valuable add
tions TO the records of ancient history
For Carthage is one OF the most Sc
ductive of studies TO those who take
pleasure in delving into the history
and tradition OF that distant pas
which antedate5 by centuries the ad,
vent Of the Christian Era.
The origin OF ancient Carthage j.
unknown to this day. and it may b'
: revealed by the excavations and re
; searches row In contemplation. 1
was bunt on the north coast Of Africa
| lis site being n peninsula running on
= into q small bay OF the Mediterranean
Sea. Enough has been ascertainet
l TO prove that IL WAS a regularly lai,
E out city, with clearly defined streets
{ and that II the height Of Its prosper
S ity i; had population of about 700.
y 900, in the year i49 b. c. II enjoye
s large and profitable commerce with a
5 The rest OF that part OF the inhabit
Y able globe in its day Also, Carthag
n was undoubtedly a great power. con
= trolling the commerce and bushes
e of the Western Mediterranean coun
= try. and probably holding iron rul
o ever all the people thereof.
= Authoritative history OF ancier
y III liAibt D>siiio dbOLl tic II Ath Cti
a .ory. y. c. At that time began the tel
Il rible and destructive wars whic
C brought It to ruin. Carthage defeate
the Greeks Of Sicily and establishe
u colonies in Greek country, but whe
is Rome rose In her greatness Carthae
\, fell beneath her military and nav
n valor and power. The great Scip
= compelled the Carthaginians to abai
n don Greek territory. and later Ca
r thage fell before a Roman invasic
y and became Roman province. Tn,
al came its destruction. A new Carthal
2 was built on another site, in the Sc
e ond or Third Century. A. D., but in Il
" year CAT was completely destroyed !
as the Arabs. only a few small hamle
and ruins now remaining TO mark /
sc site.
o. And now ancient Carthage, III
r Herculaneum and Pompcii, may
ed uneartLed and IT'S history. undout
h. ediy OF deep interest, revealed 10 {
be world. II is hoped success win 6