Page:Early Man in Britain and His Place in the Tertiary Period.djvu/481

] discovered by Mr. Rassam in the Mound of Ballawat, in 1877. On these gates is the record of the Tyrian and Sidonian tribute paid in B.C. 859.

"Here we see," writes a contributor to the Standard, "'rock-built' Tyre standing on a rugged island, at a short distance from the shore, and surrounded by a strong wall, with serrated battlements and gates with flanking towers. From the shore or mainland gate there slopes down to the sea a broad incline, down which two persons, male and female, evidently a representative couple, are bearing the objects of tribute to the ships. Between the mainland and the island we see represented the Phœnician vessels plying with the cargoes of offerings. These boats are long and narrow, with high bow and stern, both ends being fashioned alike, and terminated in rams' heads. These boats, propelled by a sailor at either end with a broad-bladed oar, resemble very much the Levantine shore boats, or the Turkish kayik. One boat, retained in its place alongside the Tyrian quay by the boatmen, is just being loaded with bales of cloth, brazen bowls, vessels, etc., and trays containing ingots of precious metals. The freight is stowed in the centre of the boat, the heavier packages at the bottom, space being left for the free action of the rowers. A second vessel, which has received its cargo and is nearing the beach, is being dragged ashore by two sailors, who have tucked up their robes and rushed into the surf to draw the vessel up to the beach. On the main shore the artist has well represented the animated scene which was enacted. Porters and sailors are bringing up the tribute offerings from the ships, and are being arranged in line by the Assyrian soldiery, so