Unnumbered pageScan 36 of 87
Kourion : Basilica
Anapiron Polemou, 4-6 Athens 140
March 26, 1983Professor Robert H. Dyson Director, The University Museum University of Pennsylvania Philadelphia, PA 19104
Handwritten: Kourion : Basilica
Dear Professor Dyson,
In reply to your letter of March 4, I confirm that around 1955, when I was Director of Antiquities in Cyprus, I accepted a proposal that I should take over responsibility for further work and publication of the Early Christian Basilica at Kourion, which had been partially excavated by G.H. McFadden under the direction of B.H. Hill in 1934-35. In 1956 I carried out limited tests which established the relationship between the remains in the two areas where McFadden had worked. This made possible the preparation of a provisional plan (Akten des XI. Internat. Byzantinisten-Kong.(Munich 1968), 345-51, fig.25). In 1959, with funds from the Government of Cyprus, I uncovered what remains of the poorly preserved west part of the basilica, but not its narthex. In 1960 I left Cyprus on establishment of the Republic. In 1973, following periods of employment by the Byzantine Institute in Istanbul and as Director of the British School at Athens, I secured the support of Dumbarton Oaks for investigation of the areas north and west of the basilica, where it was apparent that related buildings were better preserved. In 1974 and 1975 my excavation campaigns sponsored by Dumbarton Oaks exposed substantial remains of an unusual baptistery and a chapel for offerings in those areas. In 1976 I published a preliminary report on the excavations to date in Dumbarton Oaks Papers 30, 345-371. In the years 1976 to 1979, still with Dumbarton Oaks support, the excavation of virtually the entire cathedral precinct was completed, including an atrium and the buildings round it. In a study season in 1980 and frequent visitsbsince then by myself and by those I have invited to report on particular categories of finds, work has proceeded on the preparation of text, photographs and plans for a final publication. In November 1978 arrangements for publication, including a possible joint publication by the Pennsylvania University Museum and Dumbarton Oaks, were discussed by your predecessor with Giles Constable during my visit to Dumbarton Oaks at that time. The possibilities have not been considered further pending completion of the MS. I have now given my ten contributors the deadline 30th June next, and hope to have the editorial work and the revision of my own sections and the material for the illustrations ready for submission by the summer of 1984.
"The Mint" May I ask what is happening about the small section of the P.U.M. excavations (so-called because many coins were found there) which lies within the wire fence enclosing the basilica, but I have occasion to refer to it. I would like to be in touch with whoever is studying it and the records in your Museum with a view to publication.
Yours sincerely,
Handwritten: A.H.S. Megaw
Handwritten: A.H.S. Megaw
[handwritten: [initials]]
Handwritten: Your comments
[handwritten: [initials]]
Handwritten: A.H.S. Megaw
65 figures hard to readstruck struck outadded written in above” jug ditto, and what it repeatsword reading not certain