1972–1977

Curium Mosaic data

4-6 Anapiron Polemou Athens 140

27 Nov 72

Dr Roger Edwards Pennsylvania University Museum

Dear Roger,

I shall have to make some reference to the Christian monuments of Curium in a paper I have been asked to contribute to a Dumbarton Oaks symposium next May. The theme is the balance of metropolitan and local influences in Byzantine provinces, and I have been asked to present the evidence from Cyprus so far as art and archaeology are concerned.

Terence Mitford's publication is helpful as regards the baths and annex of Eustolios, but I was disappointed not to see reference there to the coins found under the Ktisis panel when it was raised (in 1949-50). Information supplied by the Curium Expedition at the time enabled me to report, in JHS 71 p.259: 'The construction of the bath building, with its fine mosaic pavements, is shown by new coin finds to be rather later than was previously supposed and to fall probably in the early fifth century'. George McFadden in a report covering the same period, in AJA 55 p.167, wrote: 'It is probable that this building was constructed not long after the year A.D.408'.

It is tantalizing to know that the coins are recorded, but unidentifiably, in Dorothy Cox's ANS monograph. If you have no objection to my mentioning it, would you please consult the Curium Expedition's archives and let me know what was the latest coin included in that find? The serial no. in Dorothy Cox's list of coin types found at Curium would suffice. I suspect that the answer is 604 or 605, but would like to be sure. These coins were found during De Coursey Fales's investigations and I suppose that, other records apart, they are listed in his notebooks.

You may be glad to know that Vassos Karageorghis has been prodding me about the basilica. I think that in two campaigns I could finish the further excavation I consider essential (provided the necessary labour is available): the narthex and the bishop's palace (if such it be) to the west, and the baptistery etc. to the north. But there is such a clutter at Curium House as a result of the Department's new excavations that there is nowhere to put the further finds from the basilica that must be expected; nor yet any place to work on the old ones, which have been pushed around in a disturbing fashion. However it is hoped that additional apothekes will be built next year, and if these are adequate I shall try to raise funds and get to work.

Meanwhile, I would be grateful if you could produce a photo of the panel of floor mosaic in the basilica with birds flanking a vase. It was published in the Bulletin vol.7 no.2, if I am not mistaken (this no. is missing in the American School set). When I took over the site in 1956 very little of this panel remained.

With all good wishes, in which Elektra joins,

Peter

Handwritten: X

Handwritten: X

Handwritten: Kourion ? ... Rosetti? ...