A CITY UNDER THE SEA.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19529, 11 July 1925, Page 5

A CITY UNDER THE SEA.

DISCOVERED BY ARAB FISHERMAN. RELIC OF PHOENICIAN TIMES. How an Arab fisherman looked over the aide of his little boat and suddenly saw a city under tho sea so clearly that tho streets could bo distinguished was described to a representative of the Morning Post by Sir E. Denison Ross, tho Director of tho School of Oriental Studies, who recently returned from a tour of Tunis. This discovery of a hitherto unknown Phoenician town has created tho widest interest among archaeologists. “It is tho custom of Arab fishermen who live along tho coast of tho island of Jerba, which used to bo known as the Isle of the Lotus Eaters, to catch the little rock fishes which abound some 500 out to sea by diving under water. The men hold their breath for an incredibly long time, and make a dash after tho fish with a sharp hook in their right hand,” said Sir E. Denison Roas.

“A short time ago one of these divers came up to tho surface with a treasure which, when shown to an archajoiogist, immediately excited his curiosity. Hie fishermen said that when he had bent over tho side of his craft he had been able to distinguish what appeared to be a city at tho bottom of tho sea.” 500 YARDS FROM LAND.

“A party of experts immediately set out and investigated tho matter,” ho added. “Sure enough, they saw the city under the sea, and could oven distinguish tho streets. Tho French Commissaire at Lo Kef described this find to me in detail recently, and elaborate plans are being made to push on tho research work. “I was told that tho French authorities and the Tunisian School for Archaeology are to be in charge of the undertakings. It is probable that aeroplanes will be used to survey tho city under the sea. Tho ruins are about 500 yards from the land.” Sir E. Denison Ross said that ho had stayed some time in Tunis itself, whore he learned that tho site of tho original city of Carthage is not yet known and that nobody is yet certain of whore the original port used to be. Some say that it was at La Marsa and others that it was at La Gouletto.

“French. American, and English experts are all working in tho neighbourhood of Tunis,” continued Sir E. Denison Ross. “The whole work is complicated, however, and tho men are groping very much in the dark Tho Punic city of Utique is one of tho most interesting places of research to my mind, because the owner of the lands upon which tho city is huilt has given tho experts permission to dig just where they please. PUNIO INSCRIPTIONS.

“During the last few weeks, and while I was there, many treasures were found. Panic inscriptions are in a wonderful state of preservation, while sarcophagi have been Tin earthed with tho bodies inside. The fingers are in veiry many oases covered with the finest jewellery. Even razors and shaving material have been discovered. The history of Utique is not without interest. It wont to the Romans after the third Funio Wax, and became the capital ofter tho fall of Carthage. Later on Carthage again became the capital. “Although Utique is now 10 miles away from the coast, it was formerly right on tho edges of the sea Excavation work began some years ago, but it is only within the last few weeks that research work has been pushed forward with increased success,” Sir E. Denison Ross added that the discovery of a city under the sea was not unique. “Some years ago,” ho said, “a regular network of mins was discovered off the coast of Carthage, and aeroplanes woro used on that occasion to take photographs. This latest discovery has completely mystified the experts, "however, and nobody has tho slightest idea of what treausres may b efound, or who may have Jived in the city.”