1946

In order to give temporary relief to the shortage of working space at Episkopi, it is considered that a division of spoils may now be made between the University Museum and the Cyprus Museum. Two important reservations must be made in view of the fact that the final study of these tombs has not yet been made and that is an ironclad guarantee must be obtained from the Cyprus Museum that all objects awarded to it must be preserved intact and together, available at any time for study by persons designated by this museum. Both we as regards the Lapithos excavations and the Swedish expedition have had sad experience of inexcusably casual treatment of objects from our excavations allocated to the Cyprus Museum, many of which were simply thrown away. Furthermore it must be made clear that we reserve exclusive publication rights to all material discovered by us wherever allocated until such time as we are able to complete the final publication of this material. It is anticipated that we will be generous in making this material available to others prior to our own publication; we must however insist on being consulted, and on reserving the right to refuse. I would not favor a distribution of finds at this time unless the Cyprus authorities accept unconditionally the two above reservations.

The following categories may be established for guidance in the distribution of finds. It will be noted that in each case reference is made to the entire contents of tombs. Only complete tomb-groups will be considered exchangeable. The breaking up of such groups which has been practised by the Cyprus Museum in the past, is utterly reprehensible from every scholarly aspect and should not be tolerated.

1. We must insist on being given either tomb 25 or tomb 26, preferably the latter, which is of unique importance.

2. Every attempt must be made to obtain tomb 39 with the bronzes and the large terracotta tripod. This will add little to the Cyprus Museum collection which has many tripods, but would be most useful to us. This tomb should be obtained, even at the cost of sacrifices further down the line.

3. We would definitely like either or both of tombs 34 (with the high percentage of painted Bucchero ware, including the wide-mouthed amphora) and 53 (?-- the sizable geometric I tomb including a painted jar the decoration of which includes a snake, and a jar of somewhat similar shape of non-Cypriote manufacture, with green paint and large grey grits in the fabric. If the tomb number is not 33 it might be 36. I am giving both the above tomb numbers by memory and they may be inaccurate; the notes on the contents of the two, we would prefer tomb 34.

4. we have no particular interest in tombs 17-24, inclusive. They contain little of importance, and are in poor condition. Even their exchange value is limited.