Letter from Megaw to Schaeffer on publications about EnkomiArthur Hubert Stanley Megaw

Stamp: none

Figure: Cyprus government coat of arms

Nicosia, 18th January, 1949.

Dear Dr. Schaeffer,

Thank you for your letter of 4th January and for the good wishes it contains.

I had a consultation with Dikaios at Enkomi (Engomi is the "official" spelling which I am obliged to follow in official correspondence) a few days ago, following which he is closing down his work there for the present. We feel it is impractical and inadvisable under present weather conditions to carry the excavation down into the lower levels of the area opened, nor until that is done, does it seem profitable to remove the top-soil elsewhere. On the face of the evidence secured to date we must be prepared for cult and votive objects in the Mycenaean level (though we cannot guarantee that the area had the same character in the earlier as in the later periods). We must not run the risk of exposing valuable and fragile objects, only to have them battered by rain and swamped in mud. However a reduced team will continue surveying and removal of objects already exposed.

In the circumstances you will understand that with so much still to be done, there can be no question at present of Dikaios producing a full account of his excavations, such as you suggested might go in Enkomi I with the reports on your work to date. On the other hand I fully concur in your views about early publication. In the circumstances I feel there is much to be said for publishing the results of your 1946-1947 campaigns as Enkomi I, as the exclusive work of the French Mission (our collaboration really only came into force last summer, though in anticipation of it we gave you certain facilities in your earlier work). Enkomi II, which would mark the beginning of the publication of the Joint Expedition's work, would contain Dikaios' report on his area and whatever more you had ready for publication when it goes to press, e.g. your 1949 campaign, if, as we hope, you will be having one.

But the exceptional interest of the Baal statue demands some interim publication, preferably in a periodical, which if it was done in Dikaios' name (though presented as part of the Joint Expedition's work) would make known without delay to all interested, pending full publication in Enkomi II. This preliminary report would have to be very tentative as regards the architectural remains, which to a considerable extent appear to be survivals from a level which has yet to be explored. Of course the communication which you have kindly offered to read to the Academy on Dikaios' behalf will serve the purpose to a considerable extent, but I had in mind also an article in the Illustrated London News which can offer prompt and wide circulation. I should like to have your views.

Like you, after digging at Enkomi, we feel the need of some better form of shelter on the site than a tent. Dikaios has made new enquiries in Enkomi which show that we can now have built a hut of internal dimensions 9 by 3½ metres, with tiled roof, a door and 2 windows, for about £200. We are

Dr.C.F.A.Schaeffer, M.A.,D.Litt., | /preparing Le Castel Blanc, 14 Rue Turgot, St.Germain-en-Laye, (Seine et Oise).