RELICS OF CYPRUS

Press, Volume C, Issue 29535, 9 June 1961, Page 12

RELICS OF CYPRUS

Canterbury To Get Share The University of Canterbury classics department will benefit from "the most bril-liantly-successful archaeological excavations in Cyprus for 30 years.” Because it contributes financially to Sydney University’s perennial Cyprus expeditions it will get a share of 72 cases of pottery and weapons ex. cavated from a Bronze Age cemetery near a village called Kartni. But, because many of the relics rc broken, it may be months or years before all the pieces are scientifically described, catalogued, photographed, and then reassembled into their original shapes. However, the senior lecturer in classics (Miss Marion Steven) has lately received an assurance from Professor J. R. Stewart that Canterbury will again get a share of these priceless relics. Professor Stewart has informed Miss Steven that "in recognition of our contribution to the history ot Cyprus, we have been granted quite remarkably generous divisions.” This means that the expedition has been permitted by the Government to take away a big share of the finds. Some of the choice pieces*have been left for the people of Cyprus. Canterbury received a useful collection from the first Cyprus expedition. Miss Steven was to have taken part in the second during refresher leave in 1959-60 but excavations were abandoned because of trouble on the island. The third has been the most profitable. The pottery and weapons found are 4000 years old, and include an imported Cretan pot made in 1750 B£. and a Bronze Age stone carving of a woman made in 1850 B.C. This is the first known sculp, ture in stone from the Bronze Age. These two items have been left in Cyprus. Professor Stewart atid the Cretan pot had enabled the expedition to check the age of other articles because It was known exactly when the pot-was made. “This find is also important," he said, “because it enables us to see the network ot maritime roads in existence at the time.” V. The other relic* will be shared by the Universities of Sydney, Melbourne, New England Canterbury, t Otaoo, all ot which suDMCt tne vTprua expeoiuon.