1974–1975: J. S. Last monograph (“The Ancient Water supply…”)

June 7, 1973Dr. George Corner The American Philosophical Society 104 South 5th Street Philadelphia, Pa.

Dear Dr. Corner:

I submit herewith for possible publication in your Proceedings the following manuscript by the late Joseph S. Last:

Kourion: The Ancient Water Supply

It is a part of the publication of the antiquities of the site of Kourion in Cyprus excavated by the University Museum for a number of years.

The manuscript comprises:

66 typed pages 48 photographic illustrations 11 drawings (submitted herewith in Black Line prints) " " " 2 maps " "

The especial virtue of the manuscript is that it is a study of a small provincial water supply of one of the prominent cities of Cyprus of the Roman period. Very little has been published on this kind of thing. Very largely because most archeologists in their brief seasons of work do not have the time requisite for the lengthy tracing of pipelines. Mr. Last was a permanent resident of Episkopi, the town nearest the site of Kourion. Hence he was able to pursue the study at his leisure over a number of years.

One aspect of the study may well be criticized by a referee, i.e. the lack of scholarly footnotes and discussions of the known systems in relation to that of Kourion. Mr. Last was not a trained scholar in our field. He was a very intelligent amateur who did a careful piece of work and observation in this study. He was an accomplished architect for the Kourion expedition and later he took care of the excavations when the University Museum had departed as an Honorary Curator appointed by the Cyprus government. He felt rightly that he could not cope with the scholarly aspect. Instead he brought a fresh and exacting mind to the study.

I warmly recommend it to your consideration.

Sincerely yours,

C. Roger Edwards

Associate Curator, Mediterranean Section