Preparations for a Journey to Al Hather-Gathering of the Caravan-Leave Mosul -The Desert-Flocks of Camels-The Haddedeen Arabs-An Arab Repast- An Encampment-An Arab Tribe moving-The Tents of Sofuk-Description of the Shammar Sheikh-His History-A Commander of the Irregular Cavalry -Sofuk's Harem and Wives-His Mare-Ride to Al Hather-Arab Guides- Love amongst Arabs-Their Women-The Ruins of Al Hather-Return to Discovery of small Objects-Pavement of the Chambers-An Arab Feast-Arrival of Tahyar Pasha-Excavations continued-The Summer at Nimroud-A Whirlwind-Further Discoveries of Bas-reliefs-Description of the Sculptures- Painted Plaster-Receipt of Vizirial Letter-Excavations at Kouyunjik-Fresh Discoveries at Nimroud-Surprise of the Arabs-First Collection of Sculptures sent to England-Visit from Tahyar Pasha-Speculations of the Turks on the Sculptures-Remove to Mosul-Discovery of a Building in a Mound near Kou- Departure for the Tiyari Mountains-Khorsabad-Sheikh Adi-A Kurdish En- campment-A Chaldæan Village-Converts to Roman Catholicism-Amadiyah -A Turkish Governor-Albanian Irregulars-An Albanian Chief-The Valley Asheetha-A Nestorian House-The Massacre-Zaweetha-Nestorian Priests--- Murghi-Lizan-Scene of the Massacre-A Tiyari Bridge—Raola—The House of the Melek--Tiyari Women-The District of Tkhoma-Alarm of the Inhabi- tants-Church Service-Tkhoma Gowaia-A Kurdish Chief-Pass into Baz- Ergub-Return to Tkhoma-Be-Alatha-Roads of Tiyari-Chonba-Murder of Melek Ismail-Return to Asheetha-Kasha Auraham-A Copper Mine- Challek―Ourmeli—A Subashi—A Kurdish Saint-Malthayiah-Sculptures— Alkosh-Tomb of the Prophet Nahum-Rabban Hormuzd-Telkef and its Christian Inhabitants-Return to Mosul-Second Massacre in the Nestorian CHAPTER VIII. Introduction of Christianity into Assyria-Origin of the Chaldæan or Nestorian CHAPTER IX. Invitation to the Feast of the Yezidis-Departure from Mosul-Baadri-Hussein Bey, the Yezidi Chief-The Birth of his Son-History of the Yezidis-Return of a Deputation-Ride to the Tomb of Sheikh Adi-Our Reception-Sheikh Nasr-Description of the Tomb-Arrival of Pilgrims-An Incident-Sheikh Shems, or the Sun-Votive Lamps-Celebration of Rites-Yezidi Music-The Doctrines and Religious Observances of the Sect-Their Belief in, and Fear of, the Evil Principle-The probable Origin of their Rites-Their Orders of Priesthood-Their Language and Books-Return to Mosul-Letter of Sheikh Nasr -Departure for the Sinjar-Abou Maria-Tel Afer-Mirkan-Defeat of the Turkish Troops-Escape of the Yezidis-The Village of Sinjar-Wild AssesReturn to Mosul 225 CHAPTER X. Excavations on a large Scale undertaken by the British Museum-PreparationsChoice of Workmen-Dwelling Houses built at Nimroud-Bas-reliefs discovered -Description of them-Discovery of Armor and Helmets-of Vases-of new Chambers of the Obelisk- Description of the Obelisk-Discoveries in the Southwest Corner of the Mound-Winged Lions-Crouching Sphinxes-Discovery of Tombs in the Southeast Corner of the Mound-Arab WorkmenMode of Irrigation-Customs of the Arabs-Facility of Divorce-Arab Revenge -Arab Women-The Workmen-The Tiyari or Chaldæans-Their Women -A Raft Plundered-Seizure of an Arab Sheikh-Arab Excitement-Departure of Sculptures for Busrah . 267 LIST OF PLATES, WOODCUTS, AND PLANS, IN VOLUME I. Lowering the great winged Bull. Plan 2. Southwest Ruins, Nimroud. Plan 3. Northwest Palace, Nimroud. Eagle-headed Figure. (N. W. Palace, Nimroud.) Discovery of the gigantic Head. Winged human-headed Lion. (N. W. Palace, Nimroud.) A Shammar Lady on a Camel. Frontispiece. Facing page 50. Facing page 70, Facing page 71. Facing page 73. Facing page 76. Facing page 283. Winged Figure. (N. W. Palace, Nimroud.) Facing page 118. Winged human-headed Bull. (N. W. Palace, Nimroud.) Facing page 119. The Tomb of Jonah, Kouyunjik, and the Ruins opposite Mosul. Facing page 122. Plan 1. General Plan of the Excavations in the Mound of Facing page 272. Eunuch Warrior in Battle. (N. W. Palace, Nimroud.) Facing page 274. Facing page 282. Sphinx. (S. W. Palace, Nimroud.) Map to illustrate Journeys in Mesopotamia, Kurdistan, and Sinjar. At the End of Volume. Facing page 283. |