CITY UNDER THE SEA.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLV, Issue 177, 30 June 1925, Page 10

CITY UNDER THE SEA.

DIVER’S STRANGE DISCOVERY. NEAR ANCIENT CARTHAGE. While diving for fish off the north coast of Africa, an Arab made what promises to be an important discovery. Ho found a curious art object, which excited the interest of antiquaries, and also described wliat 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, “was 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 lotus 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 has been made. One of them told me that they could quite plainly see the outline oi the streets of what appeared to. bo a large town at the bottom of the sea. “French archaeologists are preparing to make a thorough investigation. Expert divers will be employed, and aeroplanes will also be tried as a means ol surveying the city, which is about SUO yards from the coast of Jerba.” It is possible that it may be one of the Phoenician cities, of which Carthage was the chief. “While at Tunis,” said Sir Denison Ross, “I 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 f)f the ocean,” was supposed to lie off Tunis, where the present discovery was made. Domdaniel first appears in Chaves and Cazotte’s “Continuation of the Arabian Nights (1788-98), introduced by Southey in his “Tlialaba,” and was used by Carlyle as synonymous with a den of inquiry.