AN ORIENTAL POMPEII.

Temuka Leader, Issue 378, 23 April 1881, Page 2

AN ORIENTAL POMPEII.

The following deeply interesting communication reaches us (Pall Mall Gazette from Algiers :—Groat excitement has been caused here among arch«oiogists and the liearned generally by the discovery of aft Oriental Pompeii* an ancient Moorish city with its mosques and monuments, buried for ages in the sand of the desert. The discovery is due to M. Tarry, Inspector of finance, who immediately communicated the fact to. the Algerian Government, begging tor> the necessary help in excavation and also for a conces--sion of the desired space. in, which to carry on the work. The request it is needless to say, hes been accorded. “The. city disinterred” lies in the environs of Ouargla, in the Saharan desert; M, Tarry identifies it with the ancient city of Cedrata, spoken of by Largeau in his work on Biskra., Historians describe these wastes of sand peopled centuries ago with with flourishing cities, having gardens and artificial water-systems, all long since destroyed in tribal wars, or buried in the sand, and of which up to this time Bo visible trace has remained. M Tarry describes the site as orecisely resembling that of Rorapeii; it is buried in the sand to the extent of from six to ten metres. A mosque and nine houses have been excavated' and the discoverer speaks enthusiastically of the richly-sculptured marble arches, columns, incriptions, etc., abounding on every side. He intends, however, to reserve the full account of his excavations, for the Science Congress to be held in Algiers this spring, and meantime the works are being strenuously pushed on. It is note-worthy that the Inspector-General} of Mines some time

since drew attention to the fact of artesian “ nappes” or basins existing here, and Tarry’s fint efforts have been to experi« ment in tin's direction. After many unsuccessful attempts lie was at last re~* warded by finding, water at the ment of an aqueduct. A fete was giveqi to the workmen in celebration of this discovery. As the works of excavation are carried on at a distance of several miles from the oasis of Ouargla. this find has greatly facilitated matters, much labor and time having been before expended in the fetching of water.