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

DURING l'.nn CENTURY: PALESTINE 593
that about 260 of about 600 Biblical names in the country
west of the Jordan had been identified ; but Conder's researches
enabled him to bring forward about 72 new identifications,
so that we would know nearly two-thirds of the
Biblical places. As
regards the proposed
identifications
there
is of course much
chaff mixed with
the
wheat, many of
them not having
stood the test in the
light of sober science.
It may indeed
be said that in
this respect our
knowledge of the
topography of the
Holy Land has not
vet advanced much
beyond its beginnings.
The names
which can be identified
with complete
The so-called Tomb of Hiram, near Tyre
certainty (as far as such certainty is at all possible) are not
very numerous. It is an advantage, however, even to have
these identifications attempted and proposed, and of still
greater value that historical geography has found a sound
foundation in this exact survey of the land. Only now
when we have a trustworthy and exact representation of the
whole district as it is to-day, of the position of places and
their names, of the old ruins and highways of commerce,
of springs and cisterns, etc., are we able to enter upon a
systematic treatment of Biblical topography.
An example may show how a correct decision regarding