- 298
Jerusalem
Estimate
20,000 - 30,000 GBP
Log in to view results
bidding is closed
Description
- A report on the 1911 Haram al-Sharif incident, investigating secret diggings under the Dome of the Rock in search of Solomon's treasure.
- paper
MANUSCRIPT IN ARABIC, 4 pages, dated 5 May 1911, small 4to (202 x 150mm.), some staining, tear at head with small loss of text
Literature
cf. Simon Sebag Montefiore, 'Jerusalem: The Biography' (2011, pp. 466-472)
cf. L. Fishman, 'The 1911 Haram al-Sharif Incident' (Journal of Palestine Studies, vol. 34, no. 3 (Spring 2005), pp. 6-22
cf. Neil Asher Silberman, 'In Search of Solomon’s Lost Treasures' (Biblical Archaeology Review 6:04, July-August 1980)
cf. L. Fishman, 'The 1911 Haram al-Sharif Incident' (Journal of Palestine Studies, vol. 34, no. 3 (Spring 2005), pp. 6-22
cf. Neil Asher Silberman, 'In Search of Solomon’s Lost Treasures' (Biblical Archaeology Review 6:04, July-August 1980)
Condition
Condition is described in the main body of the cataloguing, where appropriate.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."
Catalogue Note
A RARE AND APPARENTLY UNPUBLISHED MANUSCRIPT ACCOUNT OF THE INVESTIGATION INTO THE PARKER EXPEDITION'S DIGGINGS UNDER THE DOME OF THE ROCK IN SEARCH OF THE ARK OF THE COVENANT AND TREASURE FROM SOLOMON'S TEMPLE.
From 1909 to 1911 English nobleman Monty Parker led an expedition which carried out excavations in Jerusalem on the Ophel hill searching for treasure from Solomon's Temple. In April 1911 having failed to make any significant discoveries, and with a deadline from the Turkish authorities, growing hostility from the Jewish and Muslim populations and a competing dig financed by Baron Edmond de Rothschild, Parker decided to dig secretly beneath the Temple Mount, but was discovered. This report by Abu Al-Saud, a member of the investigative team, is addressed to Madjdi Effendi who was sent to Jerusalem to investigate the incident. Al-Saud describes the incident as an "Islamic Tragedy" and explains that Mr Fa’ik Shahadi al-Danaf told the director of endowment at the Dome of the Rock that a secret operation of digging under the Dome of the Rock had taken place by a British team led by Mr Parker, and that a collection of old monuments had been secretly removed. Also, that it was clear from the beginning that digging under the Haram al-Sharif had been going on for more than six days and that a tunnel had recently been closed using new clay.
The diggers, included Toufik bin Khalil al-Danaf who had received 25 French pounds from the British in addition to 12 pounds covering the cost of tea and coffee, which was a clear bribe. Toufik was an employee at the Dome of the Rock as a night-caretaker, and he and his father had helped Parker identify areas to be dug. Another person was named as Ahmad al Rasass; he and three other persons at night carried three bags full of equipment used for digging. He kept the bags at a room at the Rock and took its keys from al-Danaf. The Arabs who were helping the British team were from Silwan area and used to guard the shrine of the Rock during the digging, and also carrying rocks and soil away and prevented anyone coming to the scene. The author states that news about the digging quickly spread throughout the city and the angry population wanted revenge on all those who had cooperated with Parker and his team; that the population are boiling with outrage and "we are doing our best to calm them down"; also that Sheikh Al Khalila and his two sons have been detained with several others. According to the report the British had fled Jerusalem to Jaffa and thence by boat having already shipped 28 boxes of antiquities, together with 18 boxes carried by hand.
From 1909 to 1911 English nobleman Monty Parker led an expedition which carried out excavations in Jerusalem on the Ophel hill searching for treasure from Solomon's Temple. In April 1911 having failed to make any significant discoveries, and with a deadline from the Turkish authorities, growing hostility from the Jewish and Muslim populations and a competing dig financed by Baron Edmond de Rothschild, Parker decided to dig secretly beneath the Temple Mount, but was discovered. This report by Abu Al-Saud, a member of the investigative team, is addressed to Madjdi Effendi who was sent to Jerusalem to investigate the incident. Al-Saud describes the incident as an "Islamic Tragedy" and explains that Mr Fa’ik Shahadi al-Danaf told the director of endowment at the Dome of the Rock that a secret operation of digging under the Dome of the Rock had taken place by a British team led by Mr Parker, and that a collection of old monuments had been secretly removed. Also, that it was clear from the beginning that digging under the Haram al-Sharif had been going on for more than six days and that a tunnel had recently been closed using new clay.
The diggers, included Toufik bin Khalil al-Danaf who had received 25 French pounds from the British in addition to 12 pounds covering the cost of tea and coffee, which was a clear bribe. Toufik was an employee at the Dome of the Rock as a night-caretaker, and he and his father had helped Parker identify areas to be dug. Another person was named as Ahmad al Rasass; he and three other persons at night carried three bags full of equipment used for digging. He kept the bags at a room at the Rock and took its keys from al-Danaf. The Arabs who were helping the British team were from Silwan area and used to guard the shrine of the Rock during the digging, and also carrying rocks and soil away and prevented anyone coming to the scene. The author states that news about the digging quickly spread throughout the city and the angry population wanted revenge on all those who had cooperated with Parker and his team; that the population are boiling with outrage and "we are doing our best to calm them down"; also that Sheikh Al Khalila and his two sons have been detained with several others. According to the report the British had fled Jerusalem to Jaffa and thence by boat having already shipped 28 boxes of antiquities, together with 18 boxes carried by hand.