30 APRIL 1921, Page 23

The Quarterly Statement of the Palestine Exploration Fund, which has

resumed work with new vigour now that Palestine has been freed from the Turk, contains an excellent paper by Mr. Phythian-Adams on the history of Askalon and a brief account by Professor Garstang of the recent excavations, with a plan of the site that will be convenient for reference. Askalon flourished for more than two thousand years until Saladin, fearing lest the Crusaders should make it their base for an attack on Jerusalem, deliberately destroyed the city in 1191. Richard I. occupied it and partly rebuilt the fortifications, but since the year 1270 Askalon has been deserted. The site is now being thoroughly examined, in the hope that the spade may reveal some traces of the mysterious Philistines.