Wood, John T.: Discoveries at Ephesus: including the site and remains of the Great Temple of Diana (London, 1877)

DISCOVERIES AT EPHESUS.

Excava-
tions at
Ephesus
com-
menced.

Terms of

Finnan.

CHAPTER II.

Excavations at Ephesus Commenced—Terms of Firman—Ancient Writers
—Portico of Damianus—Modern Porticoes—Excavations west of the
City—Difficulties—Accident—Great Gymnasium—St. Sophia—Conjec-
tures of Travellers—Fish Market—Oyster Shells—Baptismal Font—A
Dreamer—A Marble Hall—Narrow Escape—Silting up—Trial Holes
and Trenches—Christian Tombs—Suspension of Excavations by the
Turks—The Consul's Joke—Gold in Statues—Discoveries—Discourage-
ment—Bas-reliefs at Venice—Application for Grant—Death of Mr. Blunt
—Miscellaneous Antiquities—Interesting Inscription.

In the month of May 1863, having obtained a firman
from the Turkish Government, through the influence of
the trustees of the British Museum, I commenced my
excavations at Ephesus in search of the long-lost Temple
of Artemis.

I was authorised by my firman to excavate at Ephe-
sus and Colophon, in search of antiquities, for twelve
months, and to export whatever antiquities I might find,
leaving all duplicates for the Turkish Government; but I
was obliged to obtain the consent of the owners or occu-
piers of the land in which I desired to excavate, and this
condition alone involved many hindrances to the work of
exploration. My firman had to be renewed from year to
year, if required for more than twelve months ; and the