May–December 1954

Kourion 28 Jul 54

Dear Rodney:

Yours of the 23rd today. Think I am now free of visitors (much crossing of fingers!) Everyone I can think of as likely to come has come and gone. Mabel stayed a week, my sister a week, Milly Kramer overnight, and Macintold for two days. A very fine time had by all, but I should be glad if the next six weeks were uninterrupted.

I decided on reflection that your question about the mosaic meant I better had do something about it. I have had Joe up there digging a few small holes for the last couple of days. It seemed wisest to dig a few small holes first to see if a figured mosaic existed, and if we found any indication of such we could then lay on materials etc. necessary for lifting and resetting it before exposing the whole thing. It doesn't look at the moment as if we might hope to. The set-up however, at least on the side where we might hope to. The Achilles mosaic along one side is a rectangular courtyard with a second side, find plain white mosaic at one end and a complete absence of any paving in the center. The fourth side lies under the present dirt road loading into Curium, and it might not prove too convenient to dig there, but we will see.

What I meant by plenty of money is that we have over $7,000. in the bank still, $2,800. coming in from Cyprus Airways, and some still in the bank here, about $10 - 11,000. In all. Even with some still in the bank here, about $10 - 11,000. In all. Even with end of season obligations still to meet, we ought to end comfortably off.

About Kaftizin sherds: I wrote about that in my letter of March 3, page 3. The Cyprus Museum still hopes to get the sherds from Copenhagen sent here and make additional joins with them before they receive the material. I haven't heard recently whether they have made any progress toward getting them sent, but when I completed Pet's earlier he felt it unlikely that it would have been accomplished before the end of our season, and no asked to keep our sherds until it had. If you feel strongly about taking them back now, let me know. I had felt we could leave it to Peter to give us a fair division when it was convenient to us when it was convenient.

I suspect it will be best if the various permits are applied for in September. Just before I leave. First off, the rover should stay in my name as long as I am using it and am responsible for it. And second, the permits, as I understand, so it won't do to set them earlier. As to shipping schedules I will be good for me to set them earlier. As to shipping schedules I will be good for me to set them earlier. As to shipping schedules, I doubt if I can find out anything very definite so far in advance, though I will be to take our things to New York in now. Also, since there is no good harbor in Cyprus boats often don't even stop, if the weather is bad, as it is often enough in winter. It probably would be better for Peter to handle it … continues