T. E. Lawrence Correspondence – Page 432

Enclosed in letter of IX 27.11.1912 Copy. In the year 1879 the British Museum decided to excavate on the site of Carchemish, known today as the remains of the village of Jerablus in the Turs of Birejik. Accordingly a fourth share of the site ... amounting to some on ... the total of 1400 ... was purchased by Mr. Henderson then British Consul at Aleppo. The sale was properly registered at Birejik, where the ... deeds still remains. Excavations were begun Brajaxis aftesh in 1911 and a protest was at once made by the owner of the remaining two ...... of the Kala'a, Hassan Ibn Maseieh. The Imperial commissaire attached to the excavations regarded a flt compensation for him of 45 Turkish which was paid, but in spite of this, a little later Hassan appealed to the local authorities against the diggings and his protest was forwarded to Constantinople. The reply was an enquiry from the Minister of Public Instruction as to the nature of the ground under discussion, transmitted by the Mukasamif of Urfa to the Mukasamif of Birejik. The Kaimakam replied that the Kala'a was useless rojlilarly purposes and further stated that the entire site, if put up for sale would not (fetch, deleted) realize more than 2,000 to 3,000 ... plantres. This was also said ... him to the Fireman of the British consulate of Aleppo. The site as a matter of fact is in part covered with ruins, and alkalised waterless ... and in the interest of the antiquities underground should not be intensively irrigated. No further steps have been taken by the Imperial authorities, & pending a declaration from them it may be difficult for the excavitors to resume excavation, or to put up the requisite store-houses for the antiquities in the spring or late. It is therefore very desirable that the validity of the Henderson purchase of 1879 should be confirmed as soon as possible and instructions to that effect given in Birejik. The British Museum would then be able to conduct its operations without fear of interference from local landowners.