TBANSACTIONS OF SECTION E. 743 



The successful studies of Mariette, de Rouge, Brugsch, de Saulcy, Maspero, 

 Couder, and others should but stimulate us, both scholars and travellers, to more 

 perfect methods and more exhaustive results. 



5. BemarJcs on Mr. Tomhins' Faper.^ By Major Conder, E.Ij. 



The questions raised have been discussed for twenty years. Mr. Tomkins' 

 geographical discoveries in Northern Syria have added to our knowledge. The 

 races and towns known to Egyptians enable us to cany back the history and 

 geography of Syria to IGOO b.c. The portraits of Asiatics on the monuments 

 enable us to distmguish the races. One of these was Semitic — as shown by the 

 geographical names. The other was Turanian — as shown by similar information. 

 The details of personal appearance agree with this distinction, which explains the 

 statements of the Bible as to the population of Palestine. 



The geographical position of the Kheta in various ages was discussed. In Abra- 

 ham's time it was as far south as Hebron, but in 1340 B.C. only in the north. The 

 Kheta were Tartars, as shown by physical type and names of chiefs. The influence 

 of this Turanian population on Semites as shown by language was pointed out. 



Lenormant, treating on the geographical distribution of the Turanians, says they 

 are akin to the Akkadians. He states them to have spread all over Asia Minor. 

 Geographical nomenclature provides one of the safest methods of tracing race. 



6. Becent Explorations East of the Jordan. 

 By Captain A. M. Manteli, B.E. 



The portions of eastern Palestine which have been recently explored are three in 

 number, viz., five hundred square miles surveyed by Major Conder, E,.E., to the 

 north-east of the Dead Sea, and two portions of 450 and 240 square miles respec- 

 tively near the sea of Galilee, siu-veyed by Herr Schumacher. The principal points 

 were fixed with the theodolite and a triangulation linked with that of western 

 Palestine. _ Detail was filled in with the prismatic compass and altitudes of sub- 

 sidiary points fixed by means of the aneroid barometer. At the same time infor- 

 mation was collected as to the Arab tribes and their history, and ruins, dolmens, &c., 

 were measured up and sketched. Some difficulty was experienced in ascer- 

 taining the names of places, but still more in spelling them with correct Arabic 

 letters. 



About thirty Biblical sites have been recently recovered, including Mount Peor 

 and Bamoth Baal. 



Some time was spent at Amman, a city abounding in Roman ruins. The 

 Muhamrnedan remains are less important, but include a Sassanian building which 

 throws light on early Moslem architecture. Rabboth Ammon is now occupied by a 

 colony of Circassians. 



'Arak el Emir and the ruined palace of Hyrcanus were also sketched and 

 photographed. They are foimd to agree very well with Josephus' description: 

 Several hundred dolmens were observed, plans and sections being taken of the best 

 preserved ; those in Moab seem to be sacrificial not sepulchral. A number of men- 

 hirs were discovered, and plans were made of several large ancient stone enclosures. 

 The latter are often imitated at the present day on a small scale. Tombs are 

 surrounded by circular enclosures, at which the Bedowy prays and makes his 

 ofierings. 



Two groups of the stone pillars called ' Serabit ' and several disc stones were 

 also found. 



Herr Schumacher's work in the Jaulan and Haurau was executed while survey- 

 ing the country for a railroad to Damascus. He has drawn up geographical 

 gazetteers of the various districts. Through his work the ancient Kokaba has been 

 discovered. He has also fully described some of the underground cities. 



' Published in the Qxiarterly Statement of iUe PaZestine Exploration Fund. 



