Letter from Schaeffer to Megaw on excavation grounds and the organisation of the missionClaude Frédéric-Armand Schaeffer

Le Castel Blanc, 14 Rue Turgot, St.Germain-en-Laye. (Seine et Oise).

20th March 1947

Dear Mr. Megaw,

Thank you for your letter of March 18th, with the corrected plan of the trenches and plots of Enkomi. I now see it would be preferable to acquire the following plots: 382, 383, 390, 363, 364, 261, 260. I suppose that our trials of the northern town wall are on plots 260 and 261, therefore I propose these plots instead of 381. Of course, it will be necessary to acquire later on the intermediate plots.

I assume that you have received in the meantime, assurance that the Cyprus Government is prepared to pay an equal share. Therefore, in order that no time is lost, I have asked my bank (Barclay's, Famagusta) to put at the disposal of your Department as soon as you inform them that the money is required, the sum of 800/0/0 for the purchase of the above mentioned plots.

I would like you also to consider the building of a simple expedition house on the ridge overlooking the site (plot 383 of plan). I would suggest the type of house we have experienced in Ras Shamra: square, with a wooden framed terrace with a stone floor for shadow and coolness, approximately like on enclosed sketch. But you are architect and can do that much better than I. Built of bricks with white cover, the construction would not be expensive, I suppose. Could you give me an estimate and would you share half in the expenses?

I also would be grateful to you if you could let me know the position for buying a car in Cyprus. What sort of cars can you get there? prices? and could a car be delivered from England for let us say, August? I would have the car eventually also in Syria or Turkey as long as I cannot get a car there.

The meeting of the archaeological board has not yet been possible but I think I can arrange the meeting after the Easter vacation and my return from a short visit to your country. But I am sure that my proposal for a combined excavation will be accepted.

Yours sincerely,