Letter from Megaw to Schaeffer on expropriationsArthur Hubert Stanley Megaw

Printed: Telephone No. 61

Stamp: No. 36/36 — handwritten reference "36/36" partly obscured

Printed: DEPARTMENT OF ANTIQUITIES, CYPRUS.

Figure: Cyprus colonial coat of arms; labels: none

29th November, 1946

Dear Dr. Schaeffer,

I promised to let you have a reliable estimate of the cost of expropriating the fields occupying your site at Enkomi. This I now enclose in the form of a sketch plan (on the same scale as the sun-print plan which you have) showing on the various plots the valuations which have been prepared by the Land Registration and Survey Department. That of £120 on plot 265 is subject to revision,as it was not included in the valuation supplied.

I fear these valuations are much higher than I hoped for and led you to expect. They reflect, I suppose, the tendency to inflation and other economic troubles which have followed the war here. The total cost, including a plot outside the wall to the South for dumping, must now be considered in the neighbourhood of £1300. Even if you were in a position to provide half this total I am afraid the Cyprus Government might find difficulty in providing the remainder at this stage.

The news from the site is that the fencing was duly completed and that the watchman is watchful. Some damage has been caused to the skeletons left in situ by treasure seekers and one jar left in position is missing. We have had official warnings in Greek and English printed and posted as you suggested and have asked the Police to visit the site more frequently. I think if you saw your way to build a hut for the watchman on the site the danger of such damage would disappear.

I trust your mission in Syria was as successful as could be expected and that you had no difficulty in getting a passage back to France.

We are looking forward to hearing from you about the future of the Enkomi excavations, particularly as regards the suggestion that we should join forces with you.

My wife joins in warm greetings.

Yours sincerely,

Handwritten: signature

Dr. C. F. A. Schaeffer, M.A. D.Litt. Musée des Antiquités Nationales Chateau De St. Germain-en-Laye, France.

P.S. Vercoutter of the Cairo Institute has completed his work here. We did what we could to help and I believe he found his visit profitable.