1949

No. [handwritten: 3/35/4]

Stamp: Air Mail (handwritten)

Telephone No. 61

Printed: Department of Antiquities, Cyprus, coat of arms

Nicosia, 17th January, 1949.

Handwritten: Dear BHH.

Thank you for your letter of 1st January and kind wishes, which we reciprocate.

I quite appreciate that there must be changes of plan following Pete's so sad and sudden death. I have had a word with Joe Last and he is not proceeding with the shipping of the Bamboula finds pending further instructions. However, I think it will be necessary to make some arrangements for these finds before the expedition resumes operations.

For the division, all the Bamboula finds - except a few which could not be traced - were brought out and displayed in what I know as "George's apotheke". They are still there occupying nearly all the shelf space and much of the floor. It will not be possible for the expedition to use that apotheke so long as they are there.

Now the bulk of the material as you know comes from the tombs, and as these tombs have been filled in your point about having the material available on the spot for whoever is taking over the Bamboula publication applies with less force to the tomb groups than to the settlement material.

I would suggest therefore that we go ahead and remove to the Museum the tomb groups allotted to us in the division, which we were about to do when your letter arrived. That will clear some space, but not very much as the bulk of the groups were allotted to the expedition.

As to the expedition's tomb groups, I dare say they could be studied as conveniently in Philadelphia as Episkopi and I feel if it is decided to do so it will facilitate other work at Episkopi. I feel, in any case, it is a pity not to take advantage of the present lull in the expedition's activity to get the things packed up. I suggest therefore that you authorize Joe to go ahead with the packing of your Bamboula tomb groups as previously arranged, but not to make any arrangements for shipment at present. That done, the Bamboula Settlement finds may well remain where they are as they do not occupy much space.

I should be obliged if you could let me know by return whether you approve these suggestions.

Looking forward to seeing you here in March.

Handwritten: Yours sincerely

Handwritten: Peter Megaw

B.H.Hill Esq., 9, Plutarch Street, Athens.

Handwritten: Reply 22 Jan. agreed