TREASURE TROVE IN GREECE.

Manawatu Times, Volume II, Issue 64, 30 May 1877, Page 3

TREASURE TROVE IN GREECE.

Dr. Schlieinann, whose labours m excay atifig on tlie site of ancient Troy are so well known, has for some time past been engaged m digging at Mycenae, m Argolis, on : the Morea, and he has at length made discoveries which have excited the interest of classical scholars, -and the cupidity of many to whom the Iliad is a sealed book. Dr. Schliemann excavated below a great circle of parellel slabs placed' beneath archaic-sepulchral stones, which GPausamas, following tradition, considered to be the tombs of Atreus, Agamemon, Eurymepon, Cassandra, etc., and here he has found immense; "quantities of jewellery and other objects of gold and silver. Among them are a gold heinlet and breastplate, gold" masks, two diadems, and a large head of a cow, m silver, with immense horns bf pure gold, a large girdle, of gold, -five golden vases, and. a great many golden buttons of large size. All these articles are described as "marvellously worked." There have also fotmd women's gold ornaments of archaic patterns, nine silver vases, two sceptres with crystal heads, .other articles of chased rock crystal, and numerous objects m bronze, including a good many swords. No trace of ironwork, however, or of glass", has been discovered. The whole affair reminds one of such stories as Edgar Allen Poe's " Gold Beetle," and as the Doctor is still digging away, there is no knowing what further riches he may, unearth. It should be added that while Dr Schliemann is conducting the excavations en-' tirely at his own expense he derives no benefit from them, save honour and glory. In a letter to the King of Greece he writes : — ."This treasure is alone sufacierittofill a large museum, which will be- the most splendid m the world, and which m all succeeding ages will attract to Greece thousands of strangers, ■from every land. As I am laboring from a pure and simple love of science, I waive all claim to this treasure, which I offer .with intense enthusiasm m its entirety to Greece. Sire, may these treasures, with God's blessing, become the corner-stone of immense national wealth."—" Otago Daily Times' " Edinburgh correspondent.