Neos Democratis (communist): The Excavations at Engomi, yesterday's reporters visitNeos Democratis

NEOS DEMOCRATIS (COMMUNIST) .13.10.49 THE ARCHAEDLOGICAL EXCAVATIONS AT ENGOMI YESTERDAY'S REPORTERS' VISIT

Correspondents of nearly all Cypriot newspapers took part in yesterday's reporters visits to Engomi, Famagusta which was organised by the Public Information Office where archaeological researches are being made . The Director of of Cyprus Museum Mr. Megow first addressed the reporters and explained that the place was firstly explored by the villages and later on in in 1850 by the British Museum. In 1930 a Swedish mission came to Cyprus and explored Engomi area. Pots of Mycenean period were discovered, but the ancient town of Alasia which was burried underground was not discovered. In 1934 Dr. Schaeffer came in Cyprus leading a French mission who confirmed that the town of Alasia existed. He resumed the excavations after the end of the war and asked for the assistance of the Antiquities Department. The ancient town of Alasia was big enough and was the capital of Cyprus from 1500 to 1200 B.C.

Dr. Shaeffer, analysing the researches of the French Mission, said that tombs were discovered under each house of the ancient town which were privately used by each family. In one of these graves for the excavations of which labourers have been working for 15 days, 6 human skeletons were found. Among the ruins of a house of the ancient town, a bronze small statue of 3-4 inches height, of Egyption art was found. The streets of ancient Alasia have a direction from East to West and were presumably designed by an Architect. The main street is 3,25 metres wide. The houses are close to one another and it is believed that the town was densily inhabited. It is estimated that its population was over 15000. Mr. Shaeffer stressed that a big palace with inscriptions must be found, because as it is gathered by the inscriptions found on the pots, writing was widely spread among the people of alasia. We also know from Egyptians that the Kings of Alasia were in correspondence with the Pharaos.

On the walls of the houses, recent repairs can be seen, but, there are also walls which belong to ancient Egyptian civilization. It is believed that Alasia was destroyed by an earthquake in 1200 B.C. On the floor of one of the houses black fire marks can be seen which were caused after the earthquake. It is well known that the town suffered a lot from earthquakes. Three levels can be seen in various places of Alasia on which houses were built after each earthquake. Inscriptions on the walls have already been found, but pots were also found with their proprietor's names written on them in Cypriotic script. Their good handwriting proves that writing was very well taught. The walls of the houses were built with big stones, sometimes of 3 metres length.

Mr. Dikeos, Curator of Cyprus Museum, spokeabout the ruins of the big building which was discovered by the Antiquities Dept's excavations. Main characteristic of this building is a big oblong room. In one of the rooms, the famous bronze statue , now in the Cyprus Museum, was found. According to Mr. Shaeffer's opinion this statue represents "Apollon of Alasia" but according to Mr. Dikeos opinion it represents some god by the name of "NEKAL" In another room three bull's skulls were found, which were apparently sacrifised by the Alasians during their religious ceremonies. In another room of the same building the remains of a fire and a hollow concave where a hand-mill was placed used for grinding wheat, was found.

On one side of the town the ruins of the walls of Alasia built of huge stones. were found. In order to reveal the full length of the walls, the excavations will be continued, so that the full perimeter of the town and its exact population can be correctly assessed. The walls, were built in a Kyklop's system.

Dr. Shaeffer showed the reporters two gold thin plates with ensigns of Egyptian art which were found on skeletons, some gold rings also with ensigns of Egyptian art which were found on the bones of the hands of the skeletons, a silver statue of 2" length which was found on the thorax of a skeleton and a beautiful alabastr vase.

The excavations are now being made by the French Mi sion under Mr Shaeffer, Curator of Saint Zermain French Museum. About 150 labourers are employed at the archaeological researches at Engomi. The amount of £2000 are spent annually by the French Mission and an equivalent amount by the Antiquities Dept.

Mr. Shaeffer will be shortly leaving and will be back next autumn to continue his researches. The Antiquities Dept will resume their work in Spring 1950.