25

IRON.

At Mycenae and Ialysos the remains of iron were scanty, just in keeping with the
references in the Homeric poems, where a piece of iron was a rare prize. At Enkomi
the result was much the same, a marked preponderance of bronze and a great scarcity of
iron. Not only is iron scarce, but wherever it does occur it is associated with marks
of respect, such as being mounted with an ivory handle or knob. It seems to have been
used chiefly for knives. In one instance (Fig. 25, No. 1482) the knife with its ivory
handle shows from comparison with those of the present day how permanent has been
the idea. Another has its ivory handle beautifully carved in the form of a bull's leg
(PI. II, No. 995); but the iron blade has disappeared, except for slight traces.

STONE.

Between the vases of white alabaster and those of white limestone or a greenish grey
slate there is an obvious contrast. The former are finely shaped, as if turned on a lathe
(Figs. 41-43), with little or no ornamentation added on the surface. The latter
(Figs. 44-46) are ungainly in shape, and mostly decorated on the surface with primitive
incised patterns. So marked a difference seems best accounted for by assuming that

1315

Fig. 41.
Alabaster.

1330

Fig. 44.

Greenish

Stone.

Fig. 43.

Alabaster.

Fig. 42.—Alabaster Vase.

I3'3 2

Fig. 46.

Greenish Stone.

1298

Fig. 45.—Limestone.

the finely formed alabaster vases had been imported from a more advanced country,
and that the others were native products in Cyprus. There are also one or two stone
implements, particularly a hammer (Figs. 47-48), on one side of which the ancient
owner has scratched very rudely what appears to be meant for a lion attacking a bull,

1331

Fig. 47.

Grey Stone.

1331
Fig. 48.—Grey Stone.

1393 1388

Fig. 49.—Stone Whorls.