CITY UNDER THE SEA.

Hawera Star, Volume XLV, 8 July 1925, Page 3

CITY UNDER THE SEA.

DIVER’S STRANGE. DISCOVERY

NEAR ANCIENT CARTHAGE

SURVEY BY AEROPLANES

“While diving for fish off the north coast of Africa, an Arab made what promises to be an important discovery. He found a curious art object, which excited the interest of antiquaries, and also described w.hat lie took to be a city at the bottom of the sea., News of the discovery has been taken to England by Sir Denison Ross, Director of the School of Oriental Studies. “The Arab’s find,” Sir Denison said, “wa s just off the coast of Jerba, a large island which is described as the Land of the Lotus Eaters—although I do not know of any Vitus eaters there now. A party of experts at once went to the spot, and they saw enough to make it clear that a remarkable archaeological discovery lias been made. One of . them told me that- they could quite plainly see the outline of the streets of what appeared to be a large town at the bottom of the s«a.

“French archaeologists are preparing to make a thorough investigation. Expert divers wil] he employed, and aerop'a'nes will also be tried as a- means of surveying the city, which i s about 500 yards from the coast of Jerba.” It is possible that it may he one of the Phoenician cities, of which Carthage was tlie chief.

“While at Tunis,” said Sip Denison Ross, “1 found that the archaeologists were still uncertain as to the site of Carthage, the old Punic city destroyed by the Romans. English, French and American experts are all working in the neighbourhood of Tunis, with no results so far. /

“Their most interesting finds have been at Utica, the city of Cato. Bodies have been found, the fingers of which are covered with jewellery, showing a high _ artistic sense. Even razors and shaving materials have been found. Experts have been able to prosecute their work to advantage in and round Utica, because they have received permission to dig where they like.” Curiously enough, Domdaniel, a fabled abode of evil spirits and enchanters, “under the roots of the ocean, was supposed to lie off Tunis, where the present discovery was made. Domdaniel first appears in Chaves and Cnzotte’ 8 “Continuation of the Arabian Nights” (1788-93), introduced bv Southey in his “Thai aba.” and was used by Carlyle as synonymous with a den of inquiry.