Miscellaneous

4

Hermogenes) had already been investigated by Cesnola and others, but it might have been expected that better results would be obtained from the portions that were as yet unexplored. In the course of a fortnight fifteen productive tombs (7-14, 20-26) were opened.

During the week February 4th-9th, a tentative excavation was made on a site (C) further inland, to the north of the northern end of the Acropolis rock, on the side of the hill below the Hippodrome. Four tombs (15,16,17,19) containing Cypriote pottery were opened, and a Greek terracotta head was found near the surface in another spot, but the trials were not successful, and purchase of the land was deferred for the time.

On Monday, February 11th, a move was made to an entirely new site (D), about a quarter of a mile to the north-east of Episkopi village, and rather over a mile from the Acropolis of Curium. Meanwhile a few workmen were left behind on site B to finish off the tombs already begun. The new venture was not long in turning out a greater success than any as yet attempted, for on Tuesday the 12th inst. a notable find was made in the shape of a Mcenean kylix with cuttle-fish, of the Ialysos type. The same tomb contained a sard scarab with Egyptian hieroglyphics engraved, which seems to be of later date than is usually associated with Mycenean remains, even in Cyprus, nor did there appear to be any reason for regarding it as from a later burial. This tomb was the prelude to a whole series of the same type in the majority of which remains of Mycenean pottery were found; the hand-made bowls and jugs of local fabric known as the "white slip ware" were universally present. Few, however, of the vases are complete. This was to be the more regretted as many of the fragments are painted with human figures and other subjects. It is probable that the site had been extensively plundered in Roman and early Christian times, but it does not appear that it had ever been investigated by modern explorers, or even by predatory natives, as Mycenean remains had never before appeared in this part of the island.

The tombs on site E (begun February 25th) were all of a late date, some of the Roman period, and no objects of special interest were found, with the exception of a painted vase of Hellenistic date. On March 1st operations were transferred to the land belonging to the Church of Hagios Hermogenes, between site A and the tombs already explored on site B. Owing to its propinquity to the latter, this land was regarded as part of the same site.

In spite of the fact that it had suffered to a considerable extent from previous explorations, this site yielded several good tombs, including at least one that had never been explored. The objects found in this series of tombs range from the 6th century B.C. to Roman times, and among them are several Greek objects of a very fine character, most of these being found in one tomb. Fifteen productive tombs in all (Nos.71-85) were opened during fourteen days spent on this site.