HISTORIC FIND MADE IN JERICHO.

Star (Christchurch), Volume XLIV, Issue 63, 16 March 1931, Page 1

HISTORIC FIND MADE IN JERICHO.

burial place of AN ANCIENT RACE.

(United Press Assn. —By Electric Telegraph—Copyright.) (Received March 16, 9.20 a.m.) LONDON, March 14

Professor Garstang has discovered the necropolis at Jericho, the ancient burying place of the people destroyed by Joshua more than three thousand years ago. Sir Charles. Marston, who financed the expedition, declares that the discovery is likely to be of the greatest historical importance, and will reveal the habits and customs of the mysterious race inhabiting the “cities of the plain ” for several centuries. It is suggested that they were the degenerate descendants of the so-called Hyksos, or shepherd kings, and ruled Egypt for many centuries. One of them was Pharaoh, when Joseph was minister at the Egyptian Court. Professor Flinders Petrie, who discovered- traces of the- people of the plain in South Palestine, said “It will be interesting to see how Professor Garstang’s finds will support reconstruction •of the lives of these strange people.”.

The necropolis had been undisturbed since the interment of the bodies three thousand four hundred years ago.