"Ducotxe er tue Past."—By C. Leonard Woolley. Director of the Joins Espedition of the and the Meseun London. Eenost Dens, Lid This little book is ap attempt, as the author states, to explain the means adopted by the archeologist jin the scientific excavation of ancient objects. The mete' finding of some object however valuable and however much it may excite the admiration is not in itself a contribution to our knowledge of the history of the past. An object intrinsically of small worth may ]yet be a historical document of the [greatest value owing to the fact of the place of its finding and juxta-Position to other objects revealed at the same time. And herein lies the difference between scientific research and casual excavation. "To the layman works on archsology fare generally dull and uninteresting reading, and objects in museums though they may excite his curiosity Joy their antiquity wit sometimes leave a doubt as to how the date lor period affixed to the exhibit is arrived at. A perusal of this book will give such a one an intelligent appreciation of the object exhi and a clear insight of the past; nor need he fear that hho will be bored by dull details and the "dry bones" of history. On the other hand, he will be entertained the revelation of the organization, skill, knowledge and care which has to be shown to bring to successful conclusion an excavation so that it reveals to us the history of a bygone race. As exis cavation is destructive it is imperative that the greatest care must be exercised to note the exact position Jof each object found and also to preserve it as far as is possible, of recon: struction and preservation noted by the author are wonderful demonstration of the scientific skill of experts. Not less interesting is the: narration of the methods adopted to determine at what spot an excavation should be made, only a trained observer can tell that from the surface signs. To the question "why dig?" the author replies that towns do not ik but the earth rises above them. This occurs in all parts of the globe but the rate Jof rising in the East is faster, buildings being constructed on the ruins of the older ones. The exjeavator as he gets deeper and deeper down will find evidences of diferent civilizations -at each level.
Also from the nature of the can be deduced whether the buildings. have decayed naturally or been sacked and burnt ina forei invasion. It is of moment to realize known, of those who inhabited the towns. To sce the plans by experts of the reconstruction of ancient. buildings visualizes for us the people who inhabited them, and [brings before our eyes the kind of life they lived.
The belief that has existed amongst most races in the past in some kind of future life after death has resulted in the placing in graves of articles used by the de-jocosed in life. The discovery of a Jeemetery therefore produces valu-fable finds illustrating the things in [common use, weapons and costumes varying with the rank of the person in whose grave they sre found. Unfortunately it has been discover ed again and agai in Egypt and Mesopotamia that graves have suffered from theft. Even where superstition has at first prevented the theft, that factor has not been 'a deterrent in the case of a new and conquering race. On the other hand, as many cemeteries were in use for long periods the graves are found at different levels which, as in the case of buildings, affords' the opportunity of a contrast in the standard of living and degree of tion of a race at various periods of its existence. An excellent example of shown in the discovery of the tombs at Moroc in the most retiiable little book parts knowledge. clearly of a subject the mention of which to many connotes heavy and uninteresting: reading. Even if one is not at first deeply interested in the history of bygone, races, by a perusal of this book can obtained with ease an insight
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.