SEARCH FOR LOST TREASURES.

Hokitika Guardian, 11 March 1924, Page 1

SEARCH FOR LOST TREASURES.

VESSELS 1-IvOM TEMPLE AT JERUSALEM. iUSTRALIAN AND N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION. LONDON, March 8. Following on remarkable archaeological discoveries of sites of pre-Roman and pre-Saxon agricultural'settlements or Salisbury Plain, made by means of aeroplane surveys, the “Royal Geographical Journal” jut Wishes a series of air pictures taken at an altitude of b : 00 feet showing the submarine ruins i.f ancient Cartilage and also a sunken galley front which, in 1908, rich spoil in P e shape of marble and bronze was taken. It is now proposed’that aviator photographers should examine the Gulf of Tonis in the hope of finding traces ol other ancient chips, of which dOO were destroyed during the Puttie wars. It is even possible that the treasure shi] of Gaiseiic, the Vandal King, whose vessel was wrecked at Cmthage when carrying the golden vessel and ■i seven-branched candlestick from the temple at Jerusalem nitty be located. Other interesting discoveries of the season include proof that the Carthaginians used cheques, paper money and fountain pens, dating 500 years B.C.

[lt is known that one seven-branched golden candlestick from the Temple wa.s sunk in the bed of the Tiber by .Jews during persecutions. A large number of statues and other objects, which are thought to date hack to the early days of Carthage, have been discovered by Dr. L. Carton in a •building which has just been brought to light. In a room in which was placed tin altar, beautifully workftl in painted stucco, lay fragments of statues of armed warriors, busts of goddesses, and heads of Carthaginians, with hair covered in gold leaf: charming statuettes representing a child playing, a li< n, tt serpent, and a corpulent Silemts; lamps objects in curved ivory, etc. These relies are believed to date from the sixth century B.C. The building undoubtedly formed part of the early city of Carthage, which Dr. Carton is endeavouring to reach. He is convinced that, if excavations tire carried ( tit with sufficient method, the site of K e ancient city will yield many sttrpt ises which "'ill enrich the annals of archaeology.]