The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-03-13
LYON DESCRIBES EXPLOR ATIONS
 IN HOLY LAND
Harvard Professor And Alumnus Of Howard
 Starts Lectures

Opening a three-day series of lectures on the general subject of Palestine 8 and the Bible," Dr. David G. Lyon of Harvard university spoke Wednesday morning in the chapel of Howard col lege on ancient Palestine as it has been revealed by excavations. The lec- ture was illustrated with views show ing the results of recent excavations in the Holy Land.
 "The object of the course of three lectures" Dr. Lyon said, lis to ex- plain and illustrate the value of the study of Palestine for the understand ing of the Scriptures. The first lec- ture on Ancient Palestine as Revealed By Exploration gave a brief outline of the work done by English and other explorers, and then devoted most of the hour of detailed account of the work of excavation carried on by Harvard university in 190S-10 at the ancient lsraelite capital, Samaria.
 Excavation Work
 "The story of this excavation work has just been published by Harvard university ill two folios, one giving text and drawings and the other giving pho t0graphic reproductions of the work and of the objects found. The expenses of . excavation and publication were borne by Jacob H. Schiff, New York bank CT, and after his death by members of his family
 ''Samaria was founded on the top of a hill about $50 B. c. by Omri, king of Israel" Dr. Lyon said. ''The palace was enlarged by Omris son, Ahab, and this enlargement was of such fine white stone that the Bible calls it a Palace of Ivory A con siderable part of the plan of Omri's palace and of Ahab's was recovered by the explorers, and the fine masonry IS of unexpected excellency. After tue capture of Samaria in 722 B. c. ! by Assyria the place remained for the most of two centuries in possession of Assyria and Babylon, and some of the walls found were identified as of Baby lonian origin.
 Under Persians
 Persian governors, under Cyrus and his successors, were stationed at Sa- maria. In the Greek era Samaria was rebuilt as a Greek city, and many of the streets and houses of this period were dug out on the summit. This city was destroyed by the Jewish Mac cabean patriots about 100 2. c. The last great period of Samaria was un- der Herod the Great, king of the Jews, who just before the Christian era re- built it as q Roman city with great splendor, and named it Sebaste in hon. or of Augustus, his imperial friend and patron. Herold erected a hippodrome, forum, basilica, and temple to Jupi- ter with large altar in front of it. All those were identified by the ex- plorers.
 "In the ruins of Ahab's palace were found over 100 ostraca or potsherds in- ser1bed with memoranda in Hebrew written with ink. These are the earli- est specimens of Hebrew writing yet l found. They relate mainly to the send | ing of wine and oil into the city. Hun dreds of coins were dug up, beginning | with Alexander the Great and extend ing into the Byzantine period"
 illustrations
 The pictures gave an excellent view \of the methods of excavation and of }the customs and wealth of these older peoples. The lecturer said that one of the most valuable fruits of such ex- cavation is that we are able to visual ize the Biblical records and feel a certainty regarding much tha, to many readers of the Scriptures often seems hay.
 HJpcCldl lHLeFtSJ III Lyon lpc- lures here is lent by the fact that he is an alumnus of Howard college, grad uating with the class of 1875, when the school was still located in Marion, Ala. f1e is an Alabamian by birth and his early life was spent here. His entire life has been devoted to the stu dy of Palestine and surrounding coun- tries. For 40 years he has been pro- lessor of Semitic languages at liar ward. During this period he special ized in the Hebrew, Assyrian and Ara mic languages, literature and philology.
 Wider Audience
 Howard college is the fourth insti- tuition to be visited by Dr. Lyon on lecture tour that includes nine south ern colleges, and one theological insti- ute. This tour is being made, he says, through an old wish of his to bring his discoveries to larger audiences than those attending classes at Harvard col lege.
 He addressed the Rotary club Wednes- day noon, speaking on Jerusalem. He spoke briefly of the history of the city and of the present inhabitants and their customs. The proposed plan for the purchase of Jerusalem by the Jew ish people was discussed, Dr. Lyon bringing out some of the advantages and disadvantages that may result from carrying out the plan.
 ZiOnism
 Although all the benefits expected may not result from the plan," he said Wednesday afternoon, "a good deal will be accomplished. Under wise manage ment much may be done for Jews who are at present burdened and oppressed in other countries"
 Full discussion of this subject will be made Friday night when Dr. Lyon will address meeting at Temple Emanu-El as the final lecture of his series. Another address will be made to the student body at Howard college IA@SvdRy morning.