JERRY-BUILDING

Evening Post, Volume CXII, Issue 3, 3 July 1926, Page 20

JERRY-BUILDING

FOUR THOUSAND YEABS AGO,

Modern contractors who have used inferior materials in the construction of public buildings, or who have covered up poor construction with a thin veneer of satisfactory work, are nothing new in the history of the world, states "Science Service." This is rovealed by a report just received by the University of Pennsylvania Museum from C. Leonard Woolley, in charge of the joint expedition of the British Museum and the University Museum.

This expedition,is at work in Ur of the Chaldees, in Mesopotamia, and has made many striking discoveries. In the report just received from Mr. Woolley, dated Ist January, he tolls of their excavations to the temple to the Goddess Nin-Gal. This.was begun by Ur Engur, about 2500 8.C., and finished by his grandson, Bur-Sin. However, it was destroyed by invaders, who overthrew the dynasty, but the next line of kings rebuilt it.

"For all its solidity of construction," says Mr. Woolley, "their work does not seem to have lasted long, for by 2702 B.C. Warad-Sin, kiug of Larsa, had to undertake its reconstruction. We found one of his foundation cones .-in situ, and thereon he claims to have rebuilt the ancient walls of Bur-Sin and strengthened them from their foundation upwards. In sober fact what he did was to* plaster a thick layer of clf^v against the face of the latter walls and so he must stand convicted of exaggeration." '' However, the temple must have been one of magnificence, for it was known as the E-Nun Azag, or Great House \ of Splendour," says Mr; Woolley, and "contained a great wealth of objects, judging by what we have fbund in the very small part of it which we have as yet examined. Inscribed and sculptured stelae and statues of diorite and of alabaster adorned it, and in front of the door on one of the inner shrines we found, flung out and broken, beautiful stone vases inscribed with the dedications of various kings from 2700 B.C. down to the days of Warad-Sin. The complete excavation of the temple ought to reward us with a collection of museum pieces of the greatest importance." . I