Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-02-08
Temple of Greek Goddess Is Sought
Among Ruins Found in Sicilian Fields

| ing Hippocrates they were dominated by
the tyrants Gelon, Hero and Thrasy-
buluS.
This continual domination increased
the importance and the beauty Of tie
town, which, while it regained its inde-
pendence in the fifth century and be-
came an ally of Athens, was once again
Subdued by Syracuse, its near neighbor.
In the fourth century it revolted, har-
bored another tyrant, HicetaS, and
| finally a century later was once again
| dominated by Hero II, and only lost its
! importance when it was taken by the
| Romans. Much has been eXcavated in
Lentini, but the present work is impor-
tant, as the entire defense walls of the
much-conteSted city have all been iden-
titled and outlined.
A German archeologist, who has writ.
ten about the coinage of Lentini, asked
to excavate and offered to pay all ex.
penses. This permission was not givek
but he was allowed to assist Prof. Vim
cenZo Alitti in the work last Spring and
Summer. His cooperation has been
very useful, as he had already passed
many months studying the Topographic
cal outline of the ancient city, which.
according to ancient writer's, lay south
west of the present town.
Part of Old Wall Uncovered.
1t was on land owned by the profess
sor that part of the Greek walls were
discovered. Work was begun here, and
part of the fifth century wall was un-
covered on the slope of the Sar Mauro
Hills. Here originally there was one Of
the Acropolis which defended the lower
slopes on which the city was built. Fx-
cavationS Of this kind have to be care
fully executed, and this was slow, but
1t is considered most important, as prac-
tically the entire wall of the city was
identified. The work will be continued
In the Spring and Summer Of next year.
A third excavation was begun at
Monte Casale, in the district of Bus
cemi, which has been identified as the
ancient HerbeSSuS. Excavations were
begun at a height of $500 feet where,
not far from Monte Lauro, there Is q
deSolate region, isolated, and undoubt-
edly Of volcanic origin. This black
mount was natural fertilization rising
above the valley Of the Tellaro, Fer
mimic and Anapo Rivers.
Here in the seventh century before
Christ fortress was built, which kept
the inland tribes from invading the
cities between the mountains and the
sea. These Notifications were exca-
waited, and consist Of huge blocks of
lava stone, which must have been
driven together by huge hammers.
SILL CAlob SOtuG OOWcIo WHICH,,
along with the walls, extend for about
a mile and a half 1t required much
time and patience to identify part of
the wall.
Nearby was excavated a metropolis,
evidently Grecian, as evidenced by the
funereal votive objects found in the
tombs. It was in this district that last
year an archaic temple Of rude con-
Struction was discovered, without
columns. In the surrounding area
there was recently discovered a number
of arms, hundreds of lanceS and spears,
of iron.
Find Village Made Of Huts.
In one part of the inhabited area,
under Greek foundations were found q
village made of huts, dating to pre-
Hellenic times, when the Sicuh tribes
lived here and. from every indication,
this section was inhabited during the
second and third phase of their occu-
patton, showing that there were tribes
living here whose history is absolutely
unknown. Neither is the name of this
site known, though several names have
been mentioned.
Even the discovery, during these re-
cent excavations of an epigraph, does
not throw light on this mystery. The
inscription is written In clear capillary
letters, which so far has not been de-
ciphered, though efforts are now being
made to do so. Excavations in this
district win be resumed next Summer.
or late Spring, when the weather per.
mjts.