Letter from Megaw to Schaeffer on a possible collaboration, with memorandum and annexesArthur Hubert Stanley Megaw

Proposal for collaboration of the Cyprus Government Department of Antiquities with the French Archaeological Mission: 1. The Department would join in the excavation of the Bronze Age Settlement Site at Enkomi on the invitation of Dr. Schaeffer, Director of the French Mission, who holds a licence to excavate in that site. The venture would thenceforth be styled "the French Archaeological Mission and Cyprus Government Department of Antiquities joint Expedition to Enkomi". The purpose of the collaboration would be to extend and intensify the investigation of the site which the French Mission has undertaken. The Department would nominate Mr. P.Dikaios, Curator of the Cyprus Museum to take charge of its archaeological participation in the joint expedition.

Handwritten: shorten?

2. The Department's contribution would be determined by the nature of its resources. These include salaried staff permanently on the spot, administrative facilities but limited funds for payment of labour. Its contribution would therefore be mainly in the following directions:-

(1) Excavation seasons of relatively long duration, but with a small labour force and covering a limited area.

(2) Contribution of staff and facilities to the French excavations.

(3) Local administrative functions concerning the expedition as a whole.

3. The character of the site as so far disclosed suggests that the slow excavation of selected areas with intensive study of successive occupation levels down to the rock would produce valuable results. This cannot be done throughout the whole site without sacrificing the impressive remains of the Mycenaean period now being laid bare, which should in the instance be preserved, particularly as the expedition's main objective is to disclose the layout of a town of this period. Such work in limited areas could suitably be undertaken by the Department, which could devote to this task annually an excavation season of two to three months duration under a labour force of about forty. Mr.Dikaios would be in charge of these excavations and would study the results and prepare a report. Of the finds the Department would not claim more than its normal half-share.

Handwritten: so far as possible / as well as by us

Handwritten: The selection of areas to be excavated by the Dept. would be a matter for consultation and mutual agreement between the two parties.

Handwritten: of the French Mission's excavations. (circled)

Handwritten: For the joint publication of results see §8

4. Assuming that the two parties would not excavate simultaneously the Department would contribute to the French excavation campaigns two or more expert diggers from its salaried staff, loan of tools, mending and storage of finds etc.. In addition in Dr.Schaeffer's absence Mr.Dikaios could exercise general archaeological supervision if required.

5. Among local administrative functions the Department would undertake negotiations with proprietors of the land for permission to excavate and for payment of compensation; also the guarding of the whole site and the conservation of the remains uncovered.

6. The Department could not bind itself financially for more than one year but the intention would be that the collaboration should continue for so long as the two parties agree that this would be useful and desirable.

Handwritten: French as well

7. If collaboration on the above lines is acceptable to the French Authorities from whom the Enkomi expedition depends, the Department would seek similar approval from the Cyprus Government.

/ Government