Archaeological News from Cyprus, 1968

Abstract

This report is a summary of the principal archaeological activities in Cyprus for the year 1968. Funds provided from the Government's Ordinary and Development Budgets enabled the Department of Antiquities of the Republic to spend generously on large scale excavations, the preservation and restoration of ancient monuments, the construction of new museums, the acquisition of sites, publications, the purchase of books and many other activities. Generous contributions by the Church authorities enabled the Department of Antiquities to carry out the conservation and restoration of many churches and monasteries owned by the Church. The Dumbarton Oaks Center for Byzantine Studies continued the cleaning and preservation of the frescoes at the Byzantine church of Ayios Chrysostomos Monastery and inaugurated work on those of the church of Panayia tou Arakou at Lagoudera, with Messrs. E. Hawkins and D. Winfield respectively in charge. The exhibit, Treasures of Cyprus, moved in 1968 from Paris to Munich, Geneva, Milan and Belgrade. The Cyprus Museum lent a number of antiquities, which were returned in November after a year's tour. The interest of UNESCO in the preservation of the ancient monuments of Cyprus continued during the year. The preservation and restoration of the pavement mosaics at the House of Dionysos in Nea Paphos was begun with Mr. Milorad Medic, an expert from Yugoslavia, in charge. The Department of Antiquities, with members of its senior staff in charge, resumed excavations at major sites such as Salamis, Kition, Paphos and Kourion. Rescue excavations were carried out at a