Rensselaer Journal, Volume 11, Number 23, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 14 November 1901 — RELICS OF ANCIENT BABYLON [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

RELICS OF ANCIENT BABYLON

A cable message from Berlin to the New York Sun reports a discovery of interest to Bible students as well as antiquarians. It reports that Dr. Koldevey and his party, who are excavating on the site of ancient Babylon, have uncovered walls whtcb they believe to have been part of the palace of Nebuchadnezzar. One of the walls is faced with glazed tiles, which seem to have wonderfully withstood the ravages of time, and are artistically ornamented with flowers and tracery. In the courtyard near the wall were also found several bricks, evidently part of a mosaic pavement, the design of which was composed of enamels and glass-raised work. Among their other finds in the courtyard were coffins, coins, stone utensils, and fragments of stone inscriptions. Dr. Koldevey considers the recent finds as fully proving that this part of the city contained the finest of the Babylonian palaces, doubtless that of Nebuchadnezzar. Meanwhile, extirpations are being carried on In the business ’quarter of old Babylon, where the Arabs found the entire business documents of the Babylonish firm “Egibi & Son” —possibly the oldest house of business of which the worl 1 holds record. These documents included unpaid bills, daybooks, ledgers, etc. They were made of hardened clay, and the wonder is that they had not crumbled away during the course of the centuries. This

discovery shows how literally the prophecies against Babylon have been fulfilled.—Christian Herald.

NEBUCHADNEZZAR’S PALACE. (From a restoration Suggested by the Ground Plan and Excavati on.)