Letter from Karageorghis on the events in Cyprus and their implications for archaeological objects and Cypriot heritage; draft by Schaeffer on the versoClaude Frédéric-Armand Schaeffer and Vassos Karageorghis

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ΚΥΠΡΙΑΚΗ ΚIBRIS ΔΗΜΟΚΡΑΤΙΑ CUMHURIYETI ΔΗΜΟΚΡΑΤΙΑ

DEPARTMENT OF ANTIQUITIES, NICOSIA.

23rd March, 1964

Dear Professor Schaeffer,

You recall that there is a small hut near the excavations site built of corrigated iron sheets, in which you have a number of boxes with sherds from previous excavations. When I last visited the site, last week, I gave instructions to Michael to transfer the material to your store-room in the village, as I observed that there was an effort to interfere with it. Now with all sorts of soldiers from all nations patrolling in the country, I think I did the proper thing. There are days when the situation does not allow the Custodian to be on duty, one never knows what is going to happen to the exposed hut - shattered and shabby already.

I hope to have from you soon an answer to my last letter, mainly about your building project, if you want it to be completed early.

Our friend Sami, the District Officer of Famagusta, who deserted his post and is now in the Old Town, does not allow us to enter the Old City to inspect the Ancient Monuments, which, according to information which we have from foreign visitors, have suffered. Last week we received a bill for £16.330 for electricity consumption for January and February in the Site Museum in the Old Town, which was closed since July, but now it must be used, who knows, as a workshop with mechanic drills or so. I am waiting the UN. to take over so that I may go and see what has been left! We have had several cases of Foreign correspondants bringing byzantine icons etc. from Turks who stole them from churches. This is not propaganda, I realise my duty as Director of Antiquities, and I shall do all I can to remedy what has gone wrong. We are all optimistic here that with the arrival of the UN.forces things will change to the better.

Handwritten: signature in blue ink, illegible, "Yours as ever"

Monsieur C.F.A. Schaeffer, Membre de l'Institut, Le Castel Blanc, 14 Rue Turgot, Saint Germain-en-Laye, (S+O), FRANCE.

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