More Excavations at Engomi-Alasia by the French ExpeditionClaude Frédéric-Armand Schaeffer

DEPARTMENT OF ANTIQUITIES NICOSIA

19th November 1960

_More excavations at Engomi-Alasia by the French Expedition_

The French Archaeological Expedition under Prof. Claude Schaeffer, member of the Paris Academy of Inscriptions and Letters,completed dur ng the months of September and October its 13th season of excavations at the already famous site of the ancient city near Engomi, Famagusta.

The Expedition directed its operations towards the central part of the mycenaean city along the main road, with North-South orientation. The excavations have disclosed a whole quarter of the 14th and 13th centuries as well as a number of tools, weapons, weights,ornaments and other objects belonging to the above mentionedcenturies. Chamber tombs which were under the excavated houses were found looted or emptied by previous excavators.

Among the most important finds were a number of cylinder seals of haematite of syrian origin with engraved religious scenes of great significance. In one of the scenes appears Baal the god of Thunder and War. Another cylinder bears a hunting scene with charriots and also the goddess known as "Potnia Theron" protectress of animals.

Near the paved area which was discovered during last year's excavations a fine building with walls built with dressed stones was brought to light but was not completely excavated owing to shortage of time. However, it is hoped that work will be resumed in the autumn of 1961. Another achievement was the discovery for the first time in this part of the city of traces of buildings which preceded the Late Bronze Age, and could be dated to the 18th and 17th centuries B.C.

Professor Schaeffer did not conceal the fact that the hope of discovering the archives of the city of Engomi-Alasia was again frustrated. In fact no text (in the shape of the known inscribed tablets of baked clay) was found during this year's excavations. But it is proposed to continue the excavations with the hope that some day a palace containing the archives will come to light.