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

DURING 19TB CENTURY: ASSYRIA AND BABYLONIA 203
we find Rassam again on the shore of the Bosphorus, inspired
with fresh enthusiasm by the hope of attaining the
object of his
mission under the more favorable new constellation.
Deeply interested as the ambassador still was in the
Assyrian researches of his nation, which more than thirty
years previously he had inaugurated so successfully himself,
he addressed the Sultan personally for a renewal of the old
concessions repeatedly accorded to the British Museum.
The request was granted at once, but before the official document
could be signed, Rassam " received orders from Sir
Henry Layard, under direction of the Foreign Office," to
visit the Armenians and other Christians in Asia Minor who
were reported to be maltreated and in danger of being massacred
by their fanatic Kurdish neighbors. About the time
when this diplomatic mission was completed, — towards the
end of 1877, — Rassam was informed by cable that the
Sublime Porte had formally sanctioned the resumption of
his excavations in Assyria. A few weeks later he commenced
that series of explorations which, with several short interruptions,
generally caused by the ceasing of the necessary funds
at home, were carried on with his well-known energy, in four
distinct campaigns, for a period of nearly five years, from
January 7, 1878, to the end of July, 1882. 1
1
First Expedition :
He leaves England June, 1877, Constantinople a month
later, begins operations at the Assyrian mounds Jan. 7, 1878, departs from
Mosul May 17, returns to London July
12 of the same year.
Second Expedition: He leaves England Oct. 8, 1878, arrives at Mosul
Nov. 16, descends the Tigris for Baghdad Jan. 30, 1879, excavates and
explores Babylonian sites during February and March, returns to Mosul April
2, departs for Europe May 2, reaches London June 19 of the same year.
Third Expedition : He leaves London April 7, 1880, arrives at Hilla
May 24, superintends the excavations at Babvlon and neighboring ruins for
eight days, spends a week in Baghdad, leaves this city June 9, reaches Mosul
a fortnight later, departs for Wan July 15, reaches the latter July 29, for a
month resumes the excavations at Toprak Kale, which at his request an American
missionary, Dr. Reynolds (later in conjunction with Captain Clayton,