JERRY-BUILDING

Hokitika Guardian, 5 July 1926, Page 1

JERRY-BUILDING

FOUR THOUSAND YEARS AGO. (By Science Service.) Modern contractors who have . used inferior. materials in the construction, of public buildings, or who have covered up poor construction with a thin veneer of satisfactory work, are' nothing new in the world. This is revealed by a report just received by tlie University 'of Pennsylvania Museum from C. Leonard Woolley, in charge ’ of the joint Expedition of the British Museum and the University Museum.

This expedition is at work in Ur of, the Chaldees, in Mesopotamia, and has made many striking discoveries. In the report just received from Mr Woolley. dated January 1, he tells of their excavations in the temple to the Goddess Nin-Gal. Tliis was begun by UrEngur, about 2500 B.C. and finished by his grandson, Bur-Sin. However, it was destroyed by invaders, who overthrew the dynasty, but the next* line of kings rebuilt it.

“ For all its solidarity of construction.” says Mr Woolley, “tlieir work does not seem to have lasted long, for by 2072 II.C. Warnd-Sin, king of Larsa, had to* undertake its reconstruction. Wo found one of his foimdatidncones in situ, and thereon he claims to have rebuilt the ancient walls of Bur-Sin and strengthened them from tlieir foundation upwards. In sober fact what he did was to plaster a thick layer of clay against the face of the later walls, and so lie must stand convicted of exaggeration. However, the temple must have been one of magnificence, for it was known ns the D-Nua Aoag, or Great House of Splendour, says Mr Woolley, and “ contained a great wealth of objects, judging by what we have found in the very small part of it which, we have as yet examined. Inscribed and sculptured stelae and statues of diorite and of alabaster adorned it, and in front of the door on one of the inner shrines we found, flung out and broken, beautiful stone vases inscribed with tho dedication of various kings from 2700 B.C. down to the days of Warad-Sin. Tho complete excavation of the temple ought to reward us with a collection of museum pieces of greatest importance.”