Letter from Megaw to Schaeffer on Enkomi I, Forrer and works at the excavation houseArthur Hubert Stanley Megaw

Stamp: 21.mars 1950

No.36/36/2 [printed: No.36/36/2]

Handwritten, pencil, diagonal: Reply Dr Schaeffer 17.11.50

TELEPHONE No. 61

Printed: coat of arms

DEPARTMENT OF ANTIQUITIES, CYPRUS.

Nicosia, 21st March, 1950.

Handwritten: Dear Schaeffer,

Enkomi I. Dikaios has paid a flying visit to Alexandria to check his identifications of Mycenaean pottery. This has I think been well worth while, though in general Dikaios has not had to alter his conclusions. These are that pottery which cannot be dated earlier than the end of the 13th century occurs in the lowest layers on the rock, and that where one or two earlier Mycenean sherds have been found they are strays - not surprising in an area where earlier tombs must have been opened up from time to time.

It seems then that the buildings contemporary with the 15th-14th century tombs and with the Alasia correspondence should be sought in another part of the site.

Dikaios is now back at work on his two chapters which he will finish before he leaves on 15th April for the Prehistoric Conference in Florence.

Forrer is leaving us on 27th March. We are giving him a further £25 from your account to meet his expenses up to his departure. That makes a total of £55 advanced to him. He asked this as a cheque which you said in a recent letter you were enclosing did not arrive.

Enkomi Excavation House. The tenders for the construction of the two rooms are in. The lowest were two for £140, both for construction in stone (to be supplied by us free). One was from an Enkomi man and for this reason it has been accepted. He wanted £10 more for construction in mud brick (to be supplied by him). I think it is only fair that we should pay half the cost as we are going to use the rooms as much as you. Your share will therefore be £70. After paying Forrer the £25 he requires there remains a sum of about £45 in your account. So if you send us the cheque you had intended to send him all will be well.

I am off to Egypt for 3 weeks to join Wace's University of Alexandria dig at Hermoupolis where architectural and early Christian problems have arisen. I shall be back before Dikaios leaves and will send off his Enkomi I contributions as soon as I have read them together with my own very small one.

[handwritten: with best regards yours sincerely, A.H.S. Megaw]

Dr. C.F.A. Schaeffer, M.A.D. Litt., Le Castel Blanc, 14, Rue Turgot, St.Germain-en-Laye (S.et O.).

[handwritten: P.S. I have just heard from Kendrick that Blanckertz would be glad to help with the Bronze Bowl, and that there will be no bill to pay. I regret I have no time to take up the matter of having the bowl taken to London by the Brit. Embassy in Paris, but will do so immediately I return, unless you meanwhile have found suitable means of conveying it to the B.M.] [handwritten: Meg.]