DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.4920#0012
The Cypriote Discoveries
The photographic reproductions and the descriptions in this volume are confined to
sculptures discovered by me in Cyprus during a residence of eleven years as American
Consul, that is, from 1865 to 1877.
From the time of the Crusaders to the present day excavations in search of
antiquities have been a favorite occupation of both native and foreign amateurs. These
excavations, however, have mostly been limited to ancient burial-grounds, the discovery of
which is no difficult task, at least in comparison with that of identifying and exploring the
sites and ruins of cities and temples.
Of the numerous cities and temples existing in the island two thousand years ago
very few vestiges now remain above ground to serve as landmarks. Still worse, the
notices in ancient writers are scarce and indefinite. There has been therefore little temptation
for explorers in this direction. There was, on the other hand, no trouble to be experienced
in searching for ancient cemeteries, with which the island may be said to be honey-combed.
The finding of one tomb is almost sure to lead to the discovery of hundreds, or even
thousands more lying close around it. In this manner thousands of tombs have been
opened in Cyprus, and doubtless tens of thousands more remain to be opened. In general,
however, the meagre contents of these tombs, consisting invariably of personal ornaments,
domestic utensils, small funeral offerings, and, in short, what is commonly termed "the
furniture of the tomb," did not, and could not, attract European scholars and archaeolo-
gists. Even when sarcophagi are found, whether of stone or marble, they are, with very
rare exceptions, unadorned.
In 1862 two well-known French scholars—Mr. Waddington and Count de Vogue —
were sent by the Emperor of France on a mission to Syria. On their way thither they
The photographic reproductions and the descriptions in this volume are confined to
sculptures discovered by me in Cyprus during a residence of eleven years as American
Consul, that is, from 1865 to 1877.
From the time of the Crusaders to the present day excavations in search of
antiquities have been a favorite occupation of both native and foreign amateurs. These
excavations, however, have mostly been limited to ancient burial-grounds, the discovery of
which is no difficult task, at least in comparison with that of identifying and exploring the
sites and ruins of cities and temples.
Of the numerous cities and temples existing in the island two thousand years ago
very few vestiges now remain above ground to serve as landmarks. Still worse, the
notices in ancient writers are scarce and indefinite. There has been therefore little temptation
for explorers in this direction. There was, on the other hand, no trouble to be experienced
in searching for ancient cemeteries, with which the island may be said to be honey-combed.
The finding of one tomb is almost sure to lead to the discovery of hundreds, or even
thousands more lying close around it. In this manner thousands of tombs have been
opened in Cyprus, and doubtless tens of thousands more remain to be opened. In general,
however, the meagre contents of these tombs, consisting invariably of personal ornaments,
domestic utensils, small funeral offerings, and, in short, what is commonly termed "the
furniture of the tomb," did not, and could not, attract European scholars and archaeolo-
gists. Even when sarcophagi are found, whether of stone or marble, they are, with very
rare exceptions, unadorned.
In 1862 two well-known French scholars—Mr. Waddington and Count de Vogue —
were sent by the Emperor of France on a mission to Syria. On their way thither they