A "Bible City."

Progress, Volume I, Issue II, 1 September 1906, Page 320

A " Bible City."

The unearthing of the Bible City of Raamses, built by Israelites, was the subject of a most interesting address delivered at University College, London, by Professor Petri, who lately returned from an archaeological expedition in Egypt. Describing the city as it had been, the professor said it was surrounded by a square of unbaked brick walls, which were probably about thirty-five feet high. In size the town was that of " the one square mile " city of London. The western and southern walls were each broken with a great gateway. Passing through the western gate one entered immediately upon a broad pathway, which led to a large square enclosure in which stood the temple of the city, founded 3000 8.C., or before. The city contained the great store house of Syrian tribute, and was inhabited by Hyksos or Shepherd Kings. Just outside the city was the temple of Onias, twenty miles north of Cairo, and this was discovered after removing a large earth mound sixty feet deep. The main entrance was to the west, and the way sloped up through four or five acres of houses to the great tower, which overshadowed the road. From the description given by Josephus the outer and inner courts of the temple were identified in every respect, and the baMS of the temple itself, which has just half the size of Solomon's temple. Within a mile of the city a large cemetery was unearthed, and in the graves were found bead necklaces, amulets and other small personal relics which it was then customary to bury with the dead.