Series·Swedish Cyprus Expedition

Idalion: the acropolis and tombs in the field

119 field photographs, 1 document · 1928

These 119 field photographs and one document, the expedition's excavation permit for land around Dali, record the Swedish Cyprus Expedition's excavation at Idalion, by the village of Dali, in 1928. Erik Sjöqvist was in charge. The diaries date two campaigns, from 21 May to 18 July and from 4 September to 4 October; Tomb 3 was dug between 26 September and 4 October.

Most prints come from the museum's folder "Idalion Acropolis" (79) and show the western acropolis, Ambelleri, during excavation: rubble foundations and mud-brick walls, work on the summit, cult pits in squares I–J 4–5, and workmen sawing into the brick wall L8. SCE II read the remains as a fortified Late Cypriote III settlement with a cult-house, overlaid from Cypro-Geometric III by the temenos of the city goddess, with an altar-court and cult-chapel, enlarged and given towers in the Cypro-Archaic period. The folder "Idalion T. 1-3. Topography etc" (28 prints) holds views of the landscape, burials during excavation, and a farewell party at the house of Panajotis. Other photographs show the team at breakfast and a Volvo with a puncture.

The finds are in the series Idalion: bronze, iron and other metalwork and Idalion: pottery, terracottas and small finds. The diaries are D II:1c and D II:1d.

Sources

Gjerstad, E., Lindros, J., Sjöqvist, E. and Westholm, A. 1935. The Swedish Cyprus Expedition: Finds and Results of the Excavations in Cyprus 1927–1931, vol. II. Stockholm, pp. 460–461, 626–628 and 629–631.