British Archaeologist Killed in Hold-up

Manawatu Times, Volume 63, Issue 9, 12 January 1938, Page 6

British Archaeologist Killed in Hold-up

OUTRAGE NEAR HEBRON United Press Association—By Electric Telegrra ph.—Copyrlgh t Received Tuesday, 6.30 p.m. LONDON, Jan. 10. It is reported from Jerusalem that Mr. J. L. Starkey, a British archaeolo gist and loader of an expedition engaged in excavations at Lachish, was killed iu a highway hold-up near Hebron. Mr. Starkey was tho director of the Wellcome-Marston Expedition, which was on the friendliest relations with the Arabs. It was not expected that its work would be interrupted by the political situation. Mr. Starkey was 46 years of age and leaves a wife and three children. Ho was going to Jerusalem when he was ambushed by armed Arabs who forced him to alight from his car. They asked him his nationality and when he answered that he was British they forced him to march ahead and shot him twice. They spared his two Arab assistants. Tho Jerusalem correspondent of the British United Dress says bandits ordered Mr. Starkey, who was the only archaeologist to continue his work despite terrorism, to descend from his car and surrender his revolver and wallet. They then handcuffed the chauffeur and I Mr. Starkey’s two servants.

An Arab fired six shots at Mr. Starkey, and asssailants mutilated the body. They later released the servants and ordered them tv) inform tho police. It is officially announced that the opening of the Rockefeller Institute has beeu postponed indefinitely as Mr. Starkey should have replied to General Wauchope’s address.