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             The World's Great Explorers and Explorations.

     Edited by J. SCOTT KELTIE, Librarian, Royal Geographical Society;
     H. J. MACKINDER, M.A., Reader in Geography at the University of
     Oxford; and E. G. RAVENSTEIN, F.R.G.S.




                               PALESTINE.

[Illustration: A PICTORIAL MAP OF JERUSALEM AND THE HOLY LAND, FOR THE
USE OF PILGRIMS.

(_From a MS. of the 13th Century in the Burgundian Library at
Brussels._)

_Frontispiece._]




                               PALESTINE.

                                   BY

                    MAJOR C. R. CONDER, D.C.L., R.E.

                   LEADER OF THE PALESTINE EXPLORING
                              EXPEDITION.

                                NEW YORK

                          DODD, MEAD & COMPANY

                               PUBLISHERS




PREFACE.


The Editors of the present series having done me the honour to ask me
briefly to relate the story of Palestine Exploration, and especially of
the expeditions which I commanded; and having stipulated that the book
should contain not only an account of the more interesting results of
that work, but also something of the personal adventures of those
employed, I have endeavoured to record what seems of most interest in
both respects.

Many things here said will be found at greater length in previous works
which I have written, scattered through several volumes amid more
special subjects. I hope, however, that the reader will discover also a
good deal that is not noticed in those volumes; for the sources of
information concerning ancient Palestine are constantly increasing; and,
among others, I may mention, that the series of Palestine Pilgrim Texts,
edited by Sir Charles Wilson, has added greatly to our knowledge, and
has enabled me to understand many things which were previously doubtful.

The full story of the dangers and difficulties through which the work
was brought to a successful conclusion cannot be given in these pages,
and no one recognises more than I do the imperfections which--as in all
human work--have caused it here and there to fall short of the ideal
which we set before us. What can, however, be claimed for Palestine
exploration is, that the ideal was always as high as modern scientific
demands require. The explorations were conducted without reference to
preconceived theory, or to any consideration other than the discovery of
facts. The conclusions which different minds may draw from the facts
must inevitably differ, but the facts will always remain as a scientific
basis on which the study of Palestine in all ages must be henceforth
founded.

I fear that even now, after so much has been written, the facts are not
always well known--certainly they have often been misrepresented. It is
my desire, as far as possible, in these pages to summarise those facts
which seem most important, while giving a sketch of the mode of research
whereby they were brought to light.

                                                                C. R. C.

     _Note._--The maps illustrating this volume have been revised by
     Major Conder, who is more especially responsible for those of the
     Kingdom of Jerusalem and of Modern Palestine. The geological
     sketch-map embodies Major Conder's researches, as also the
     important explorations of Dr. K. Diener in the Lebanon.--ED.




CONTENTS.


CHAP.                                                               PAGE

INTRODUCTORY CHAPTER                                                   1

I. EXPLORATIONS IN JUDEA                                              22

II. THE SURVEY OF SAMARIA                                             59

III. RESEARCHES IN GALILE