Explorations in Bible lands during the 19th century - H. V. Hilprecht

DURING 19 CENTURY: ASSYRIA AND BABYLONTA 99
the finest state of preservation.
It soon became evident that
he had found the earliest palace of Nimrud, from which
many of the sculptures employed in the construction of the
southwest building had been quarried.
On the morning following these discoveries he rode to
the encampment of a neighboring shaikh, and was returning
to his trenches, when he observed two Arabs of the
latter's
tribe " urging their mares to the top of their speed.
On approaching him they stopped.
'
Hasten, O Bey,'
exclaimed one of them ;
' hasten to the diggers, for they
have found Nimrod himself. Wallah, it is wonderful, but
it is true ! we have seen him with our eyes. There is no
God but God ; ' and both joining in this pious exclamation,
they galloped off without further words in the direction
of their tents." On reaching the ruins, he ascertained
that the workmen had discovered the enormous human
head of one of those winged lions which now adorn the
British Museum. An equally well preserved corresponding
figure was disclosed before nightfall
about twelve feet away
in the rubbish, both forming the southern entrance into a
chamber.
Unfortunately " one of the workmen, on catching
the first glimpse of the monster, had thrown down his
basket and run off towards Mosul as fast as his legs could
carry him. ... He had scarcely checked his speed before
reaching the bridge. Entering breathless into the bazaars,
he announced to every one he met that Nimrod had appeared."
The result of this unexpected occurrence became
quickly apparent. The governor, " not remembering very
clearly whether Nimrod was a true-believing
prophet or an
infidel," sent a somewhat unintelligible message "to the
effect that the remains should be treated with respect, and be
by no means further disturbed, and that he wished the excavations
to be stopped at once." This was practically the
last interference with Layard's work on the part of the
Mohammedan population. In accordance with the official