Unnumbered pageScan 3 of 4
Printed: DEPARTMENT OF ANTIQUITIES, CYPRUS
Figure: Cyprus government crest (coat of arms) in black, centred at top; labels: none
No.36/36/2.
TELEPHONE No. 31
Nicosia, 30th May, 1949.
Dear Schaeffer,
Thank you for yours of 19th May. I have passed on your letter to Dikaios. He will be at Engomi another week after which, if not before, he will let you have news of his second season. He and his helpers have been terribly bothered by the biting midges, so you are certainly wise to dig in the autumn.
Our current season.- Dikaios has now got down throughout most of the area to the Late Cypriot II level to which the layout of the palace (?) belongs. It has been a big job dealing with the overlying L.C.III layers, in connection with which there was much new building in rubble masonry that often took little account of the original layout. By contrast with the wealth of pottery recovered from the later layers the deposits on the floors associated with the original layout are disappointingly thin, though they are yielding some good Mycenean sherds.
Your next season.- As I shall not be back till 15th September, according to present plans, Dikaios could not be continuously with Pironin and Forrer at Engomi during your absence in Syria, but he could visit them from Nicosia. In the circumstances I feel it might be better if you landed here with them on August 29th or 30th and saw them started (there will doubtless be questions concerning wages etc. to be decided), before going on to Syria.
I shall be interested to hear where you intend to dig and hope it is in one of the plots we have bought, or No. 265 , in which the greater part of our excavation lies and which I feel we should acquire, or at least part of it.
Your licence.- When this is renewed in August, our legal experts have advised inclusion of a reference to the Memo. of 21st November, 1947. This renewal will be held here for you to collect on arrival.
Accommodation.- I think Pironin and Forrer will find the little dig-house at Engomi (2 rooms & verandah) adequate. The Guard's house (one room) could also be used as store or kitchen (though it is rather far away for the latter purpose), if you put the Guard in a tent on the site during the dig. As to St. Barnabas, I think Dikaios had better advise you.
Division.- I have noted this among the agenda for your next visit. I suppose you will have the inventory of your 1946-47 finds; this will facilitate the operation.
Possible meeting in England.- I hope we can manage this. I am due there on 26th June but had not intended to stay more than a day or so there as we will be back there later. I have to go to Oxford sometime and might go on the 27th if there was a chance of seeing you there. Alternatively when you are in London on your way back, I might be able to come up to see you (I am not sure yet where I shall be). I suggest you send me your addresses and dates c/o Dr. E.C.S.Megaw, D.Sc., 2 The Mount, Heath St.,London, N.W.3, where I will pick them up on arrival. From 11th to 25th June my address will be British School of Archaeology, Athens.
Yours sincerely,
Handwritten: signature
Dr. C.F.A.Schaeffer, M.A., D.Litt., Courrier 14 rue Turgot, St.Germain-en-Laye, France (S.et O.)
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