EXPLORING CARTHAGE

Evening Post, Volume CV, Issue 89, 14 April 1923, Page 12

EXPLORING CARTHAGE

SEEKING TEEASURES OF THE . ANCIENTS.

The ruins of Carthage; which have for £0 long been at the mercy of casual souvenir hunters, speculative builders, andArab tribesmen, are now to be explored more thoroughly than they have ever been before by a Franco-Aqierican archaeological expedition, whiijh ' is completing; preparations in Paris for' departure next month, said the Parisian correspondent of the "Daily Telegraph" on 26th February. The mission, which has the support of Harvard University and of "the French Government, will be led by Count Bryon Ruhn de Prorok, whpe Professor George Chase will direct its operations from Harvard. Count de Prorok is confident that excavations will not only add greatly to archaeological knowledge, but will yield a material booty as rich as that discovered in Tutankhamen's' !tomb. It is known that Garsine, the Vandal king, brought -back to Carthage after the sack of Rome 400 ■galleys full of. treasure. . There is also hope of finding- at least a part of the collection of carved Greek rock crystals, which were famous throughout the ancient world/ and which were last heard of as being in Carthage: The site of the ancient. city covers about seven square miles, but parts hare already been built upon. Scientists have issued repeated warnings that, unless some steps were taken to explore Carthage more - thoroughly'and preserve what remains of it, everything■ of value would' have, disappeared in four years. Funds are now being- raised in France and America with the object of preserving the ruins from any further damage, and it is hoped before long to secure the protection of the ancient site, as Athens and Pompeii have been preserved. In addition to the exca--vations the programme of the expedition includes a search for a sunken Carthaginian galley,. lying in five fathoms of water a few miles from the site of Carthage. This,is believed to bo a galley mentioned in historical records,, which left Athens laden .with gold, bronze, and marble, statuary to adorn the palaces of Carthage. Several marbles and bronzes' have already been recovered, but it is hoped to raise the whole wreck and its priceless cargo. Count de Prorok declares that the sunken vessel broken in two can be seen quite clearly from an aeroplane, and that its recovery should present no very great difficulties. An arrangement has been made with the French Government whereby all tho treasures found during this year are to [ bs divided between Harvard University I and Franc*