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

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

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DURING 19 CENTURY: ASSYRIA AND BABYLONIA 51<br />

1<br />

may still add Capta<strong>in</strong> Keppel (1824), spade and pickaxe<br />

would be called upon to speak <strong>the</strong> f<strong>in</strong>al word and settle<br />

those much discussed topographical questions. At <strong>the</strong><br />

threshold which separates this last chapter of Assyrian<br />

and Babylonian exploration from <strong>the</strong> earlier period just<br />

treated, stand two men, who while properly speak<strong>in</strong>g <strong>the</strong>y<br />

added but few positive facts to our knowledge of ancient<br />

Babylonian ru<strong>in</strong>s, yet <strong>in</strong>st<strong>in</strong>ctively felt <strong>the</strong> pulse of <strong>the</strong><br />

com<strong>in</strong>g age, and through <strong>the</strong>ir own personal courage and<br />

enterpris<strong>in</strong>g spirit entered upon <strong>the</strong> very road which ultimately<br />

led to success.<br />

CAPTAIN ROBERT MIGNAN<br />

In <strong>the</strong> years 1826-28, when Major Taylor was <strong>the</strong> East<br />

India Company's political representative at Basra, Capta<strong>in</strong><br />

Robert Mignan, <strong>in</strong> command of <strong>the</strong> escort attached to <strong>the</strong><br />

Resident, made several archaeological excursions <strong>in</strong>to <strong>the</strong><br />

little known districts of Persia, 'Iraq el-'Arabi, and nor<strong>the</strong>rn<br />

Mesopotamia. While each of <strong>the</strong>se little expeditions claims<br />

<strong>the</strong> attention of <strong>the</strong> historian of ancient geography to a<br />

certa<strong>in</strong> degree, <strong>in</strong> this connection it will be sufficient to<br />

sketch briefly his share <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> exploration of ancient Babylonia.<br />

2<br />

In consequence of <strong>the</strong> constant quarrels which <strong>the</strong> different<br />

Arab tribes were carry<strong>in</strong>g on among <strong>the</strong>mselves or<br />

aga<strong>in</strong>st <strong>the</strong>ir common enemy, <strong>the</strong> Turkish government,<br />

only few travellers had ventured to leave <strong>the</strong> regular caravan<br />

road and to extend <strong>the</strong>ir researches beyond a very<br />

limited radius around Baghdad and Hilla. K<strong>in</strong>neir and<br />

Keppel had thrown some light on certa<strong>in</strong> remarkable vestiges<br />

on <strong>the</strong> banks of <strong>the</strong> Lower Tigris, but <strong>the</strong> whole<br />

1<br />

"Personal Narrative of Travels <strong>in</strong> Babylonia, Assyria, Media, and<br />

Scythia," 3d ed., London, 18 27, 2 volumes.<br />

2<br />

Comp. his " Travels <strong>in</strong> Chalda?a," London, 1829.

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