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Four
wonderful years in Cyprus
The Swedish
Cyprus Expedition 1927-1931
by
Marie-Louise Winbladh
"The
importance of Cypriot civilization is not, however, restricted to its role of
intermediator of culture. Cyprus was also a creator of culture and possessed an
indigenous civilization which at different times reached a high
standard."
(Einar
Gjerstad 1948)
In
1923 a young Swedish archaeologist went to Cyprus to study the culture and
archaeology of the island. He had been invited by the Swedish consul in Cyprus
Luki Z. Pierides, who also was a member of the Archaeological Council of Cyprus.
Already in 1922 Luki Z. Pierides had suggested that a Swedish archaeologist
should be sent to Cyprus to conduct excavations. The origin of this Expedition
was thus closely connected with the Pierides family, since the excavations could
start with the initiative of Luki Z. Pierides.
And later, during the years of the excavations, the Swedish
archaeologists were under his permanent protection
The
young Swede not only studied in the museums, but also carried out excavations at
Frénaros, Alambra and Kalopsidha and discovered a fortification at Nikolidhes
during the year he stayed on the island. The results of his studies were
published in his thesis Studies on
Prehistoric Cyprus published in 1926, which is still the fundamental work on
the Cypriot Bronze Age, although later of course revided.
When
Einar Gjerstad - that was the name of the young archaeologist - returned to
Sweden, he started preparations for a major archaeological expedition to Cyprus.
A committee was formed for the administration of the Expedition under the
chairmanship of Crown Prince Gustaf Adolf (later King Gustaf VI Adolf). Private
donors gave generous contributions and at the end of the excavations the Swedish
State helped to cover additional expenses.
Gjerstad
also managed to borrow one of the first automobiles from the director of the
Volvo Company, when their production started in 1927. The car was called Jacob and was returned to the director
after the excavations had ended four years later. One of these automobiles, is now exhibited in the "Volvo Museum" at
Göteborg.
In
September 1927 the Swedish Cyprus Expedition departed for the island. It
included the archaeologists Einar Gjerstad (the head of the Expedition), Alfred
Westholm, Erik Sjöqvist and the architect John Lindros. They were all very
young, none of them being more than 30 years old. Alfred Westholm was better known as
Alfiros, a name which was given to him
by the Cypriots.
The
Swedish Cyprus Expedition excavated on a large scale throughout the island
between 1927 and 1931. During the
incredibly short period of only four years they investigated some 25 sites all
over the island. The purpose of the excavations was to establish a chronology
for Cypriot archaeology and to shed light on some archaeological
problems.
The
archaeological remains covered the entire period from the Neolithic to Roman
times. The main part of the finds, or about 10,000 vases, derived from nearly
300 rock-cut chamber tombs. Thousands of sculptures were found in sanctuaries or
on temple sites. Settlements, fortresses, a royal palace and a Roman theatre
also yielded important finds. In addition to pottery and sculpture, objects made
of metal, ivory, glass and stone were found. The results of the excavations were
published in The Swedish Cyprus
Expedition, Vols. I-IV:3 (E.Gjerstad et al.), Stockholm and Lund 1934-1972
(SCE).
The
beginning of the excavations
The
excavations began in Lapithos in September 1927 where the Swedes excavated a vast Bronze Age necropolis, and in the
following year, an important chalcolithic site. Before the excavations could
start, some problems remained to be solved...
The
excavators tell about a somewhat difficult situation:
"...we had to obtain permission to excavate by signing contracts with all the
landowners, and next permit to begin digging was needed from the Government of
Cyprus. In sum, many formal obstacles faced us before starting the field work.
At a number of sites, the plots of land were small, and in some cases up to a
hundred landowners had to be persuaded to sign."
"It
was at Lapithos that we began our work in the autumn of 1927. It was there that
our efforts were first rewarded. Lapithos is one of the largest villages in
Cyprus and certainly the most beautiful one."
"When
you try to explain to these people that you are not in this venture for profit,
that you will not make one penny on the entire venture, but rather will be faced
with large expenses instead, you will indicate to them that you are either a
liar or a fool."
The
fabulous rich tombs of the wealthy Lapithians and the powerful merchants of
Enkomi
The
oldest remains uncovered by the Swedes were found on the small rock-island Petra
tou Limniti on the north-western coast of Cyprus, where finds from the
pre-ceramic Stone Age were discovered. This early period was not previously known
in Cyprus. A later phase of the Stone Age, when pottery had replaced the
earlier stone vases, was brought to light at Kythrea and at Lapithos in northern
Cyprus. Lapithos is also a very important site for tombs from the Cypriot Bronze
Age.
The
Lapithos tombs have yielded large numbers of tools, swords, daggers and knives
with rat-tail tangs, toggle pins, tweezers and rings, cast in red arsenic copper
and yellow bronze. They were manufactured c.
2000-1800 B.C.
The
rich Cypriot copper mines were exploited from ancient to modern times, but it is
not yet demonstrated to which extent the native copper of Cyprus was used during
the Cypriot Bronze Age.
At
Enkomi in eastern Cyprus, rich tombs
from the Late Bronze Age containing objects of gold, silver and ivory and
hundreds of vases were excavated. In addition to native pottery, a large
quantity of Mycenaean pottery was found, showing the Mycenaean activity at the
site. Towards the end of the Bronze Age Mycenaean colonists immigrated in
different waves to Cyprus. This could be proved through the discovery of chamber
tombs of Mycenaean type at Lapithos.
In
the Iron Age, starting c. 1050 B.C., the Greek cultural influence was strongest
in northern and western Cyprus, at Lapithos and at Marion, while the Phoenicians
influenced the southern coast, where the excavations at Amathus and at Kition,
the most important Phoenician town in Cyprus, demonstrated the importance of the
Phoenician culture on the island.
A
unique splint armour, dating from the 6th century B.C., was found at the western
acropolis (the Ambelleri) of Idalion. Six thousand eight hundred iron splints,
and a few of bronze, formed the body of the armour and were laced to or sewn on
a lining of probably cloth or leather. The cuirass was found close to a
sanctuary, dedicated to the goddess Athena, the patron goddess of the
town.
Also
at Stylli in eastern Cyprus, where Crown Prince Gustaf Adolf took part in the
excavations, the finds showed relations with the Phoenician
culture.
"The
walls of the Cypriot rock tombs were not made to suit the height of the Crown
Prince and in those tombs where the roof had collapsed and fallen in, filling
the chamber with rubble, there was almost only room for his head when he began
to empty the tomb." (Gjerstad
1933)
The
open-air sanctuary at Ajia Iríni
(The
name of this site, means "sacred peace" in Greek.)
The
most important find of the Expedition was the discovery of the cult site at Ajia
Iríni in northern Cyprus in 1929-1930. Like some other Archaic sanctuaries, it
was built over a site dating from the Late Cypriote Bronze Age. About 2000
terracottas were found at Ajia Iríni in their original positions, standing in
semicircles around an altar. The terracotta sculptures can be dated to the
Cypro-Archaic period, mainly to the years 650-500 B.C.
Most
of the terracottas are male figures, but there are also war chariots drawn by
horses, riders, ring dancers, bulls and "minotaurs" (a crossbreed of bull and
man). The majority of the male figures stand in frontal positions and are
dressed in long garments. They also wear helmets or conical caps with
cheek-pieces. Many of them are bearded and some wear earrings. A few figures
carry votive offerings, while others hold flutes and tambourines. Several
terracottas have a lively facial expression and show great
individuality.
The
sanctuary at Ajia Iríni is characteristic of the rural cult, based on the
worship of a divinity of fertility, found in various parts of the island. The
god of Ajia Iríni was further connected with cattle and war. The finds belong to
the Cypro-Geometric and Cypro-Archaic periods. About half of the figures belong
to the Medelhavsmuseet (Mediterranean Museum, Stockholm), while the rest are in
the Cyprus Museum in Nicosia. In Stockholm, most of them are now exhibited as
they were found, grouped around the cult stone, which was found close to the
altar and was believed to have inherent powers of
fertility.
The
site of Ajia Iríni is representative of the cult centres of provincial inland
settlements. Distinct from these are the more monumental temples of the towns,
for example Kition.
The
powerful patron-god of the Kitians
On
the acropolis of Kition, the Phoenicians erected a temple to Melqart-Herakles,
the patron-god of the town. The first sanctuary consisted of an open temenos
area with a roofed cella (the central room in a Greek temple). The open court
contained the altar and the votive offerings. All the offerings were found in
one pit but can be divided into stylistic groups from the Cypro-Archaic II to
the Cypro-Classical I period (c. 600-400 B.C.).
The
ancient Kitians dedicated votive offerings in limestone to their god, and the
sculpture is quite different when compared with that of the small terracottas
from Ajia Iríni, made in the "snowman" technique. The cult at Kition was
probably of a more official character. The sculpture is more sophisticated,
showing influences from both Egypt, Ionia and mainland Greece.
Several
statuettes represent Melqart-Herakles himself, dressed in the lion-skin and
swinging the mace. The god is represented in a powerful manner, radiating with
strength and vitality. Archaic in style, although manufactured 100 years later
than similar sculpture in the Greek mainland. Others show female and male
votaries with offerings in their hands (a bird or goat) or with hands raised in
adoration. Some of the figures are myrtle-wreathed and wear a schematized Greek
dress.
The
Greek gods Apollo and Athena ruled in the west...
At
Mersinaki, there was an isolated sanctuary site dedicated to Apollo and Athena.
A large amount of sculpture from the Cypro-Archaic to the Hellenistic period was
found in pits, standing side by side. The votive offerings comprise mostly male
statues, but also some female figures, chariot groups and figurines. Nothing, however, remained from the sanctuary
proper.
The
sculptures are made of limestone or mould-made terracotta. They show a large
variety of styles and date from between c.500 and 150 B.C. The art of sculpture
during the later periods became merely a traditional handicraft. Many sculptures
appear as copies of Greek masterpieces. Famous is the Hellenistic statue of a
youth from Mersinaki, somewhat larger than life-size and in pale yellow
limestone. His voluminous body forms a great contrast to his weak features and
somewhat dreamy gaze. Quite different are the imposing, life-size, terracotta
statues, also from Mersinaki but dating from an earlier period. The statues are
all men with broad shoulders and stiff attitudes. They wear the Greek chiton and
himation and their curly hair and beard are arranged in a Greek fashion, but
their frontal position and severe expression are Cypriote. Some of them wear
large boots.
A
royal palace at Vouní
The
most imposing building excavated by the Expedition was the Palace at Vouni,
situated on a hill (vounó=mountain in
Greek) at a height of 270 m above sea-level at the north-western coast of
Cyprus, nearly overlooking Petra tou Limniti.
At
Vouní a monumental royal palace was found, built on a mountain high above
sea-level. It was in use for more than 100 years and was built in separate
stages. The palace was a combination of Cypriote and Greek elements. There are
no springs on Vouní, but in the middle of the open court was a cistern fed by
rainwater from the roofs.
Remarkable
finds were made at Vpuni, mainly limestone statuettes representing young women.
Many of them are carrying offerings to the goddess Athena and were found in her
temple at the summit of Vouni. A magnificent life-size head in limestone was
also found, today one of the highlights of
Medelhavsmuseet.
After
each excavation the finds were transported to Nicosia. Here, a "Swedish
Institute" (also called the Studio) was established, where the finds were
cleaned, restored and examined. In the entrance hall, there was a collection of
statues. The work-room was a combined photographic studio, drawing office and
study. Another four rooms were filled with antiquities.
The
Swedish Cyprus Expedition was the first organized effort to excavate in Cyprus
in a scientific manner, for the sake of archaeology and not for private profit
which at the time was far too frequent. Many great museums in Europe and the USA
have their store-rooms filled with Cypriot antiquities, purchased from foreign
diplomats carrying out "excavations" in Cyprus. These collections have no
context recorded, sometimes not even a provenance.
Aftermath
According
to the law prevailing at the time, all the finds were divided between Cyprus and
Sweden at the end of the excavations during the Spring 1931. Due to the great
generosity of the Cypriot authorities, more than half of the finds were allowed
to be transported to Sweden. This material now constitute the bulk of the
collections in Medelhavsmuseet. A representative part is exhibited in the
museum, while the rest is housed in store-rooms.
The
Cyprus Collections in the Medelhavsmuseet
The
Cyprus Collections in the Medelhavsmuseet are the largest and most important
collections of Cypriote antiquities in the world outside Cyprus. There are
smaller, but also important collections in the Metropolitan Museum in New York
and in the British Museum. These, however, often lack a body of vital
information in the shape of scholarly documentation of the find contexts.
Therefore the material in the Medelhavsmuseet, together with the relative
archives, is an inexhaustible research-source for scholars from all over the
world.
The
Cyprus Collections consist basically of finds made by the Expedition. The total
number of finds from the excavations was c. 18,000, and the number received by
the Swedes was about 12,000 or 65%. In addition, there was an extensive sherd
material, now kept in 5000 boxes in the storerooms of the Museum. The greater
part of this material is now in Stockholm.
The
collections of the Medelhavsmuseet include about 7000 Cypriote vases, ranging
from Chalcolithic to Roman times and giving a general view of the art and
culture of Cyprus in ancient times. A very large collection of magnificent, Red
Polished pottery from the important necropolis at Lapithos is eloquent evidence
of the skill and imagination of the potters in the Early Cypriote Bronze Age
period. Equally grandiose are the much later Mycenaean kraters or wine bowls.
These huge and impressive vases come from the rich tombs at Enkomi. Research on
the kraters continues, as regards both the place of manufacture and the
remarkable decoration.The material also comprises jewelry, glass and a large
number of sculptures and artifacts of stone and terracotta. The sculptures which
show obvious connections with the Syrio-Anatolian region, and later Egypt and
Ionia, are of special interest. Of great importance is also the Hellenistic
material, influenced by the sculpture in the artistic centres of Alexandria in
Egypt and Pergamon in Asia Minor. The development of the glass industry on the
island is illustrated by the Roman glass finds from various sites.
Recent
research
Work
on the finds from the Swedish excavations did not stop when the excavations were
over. Scholars and students from all over the world are still doing research on
the material and regularly visit the Cyprus Collections. They examine the
material, plans, drawings, notebooks and photographs from different aspects. The
immense pottery collection has attracted most of the scholars, but the
sculpture, and the rich metal finds from the Lapithos tombs, have also been the
foci of much interest.
The
Cyprus Collections will long remain a rich source to scholars and students. Pots
can still be put together from the immense sherd material. Fragments of
sculpture await publication. Many of the already published finds can be
re-studied by modern methods and equipment. A major part of the pottery acquired
by purchase and through gifts has not been thoroughly studied or published. "...it was indeed rewarding to discover how
much knowledge remains hidden in the documents and pottery boxes preserved in
the Stockholm museum." (Hult 1992)
Einar
Gjerstad was the head of the Expedition. In his book, Ages and days in Cyprus (Engl. transl.,
1980), he has not only written a popular account of the excavations but has also
given a very lively description of the everyday life of the archaeologists and
the Cypriotes they met. The relation is spiced with a lot of humour and
anecdotes. The Swedes met many remarkable personages and made friends
everywhere.
A
quotation from Gjerstad's book tells of his deep understanding of the
possibilities of archaeology:
"...It is clear, then, that an archaeological expedition is not all excavation. It
also includes conversations with people living near the excavation sites. When
the archaeological investigation has been completed and everybody returns to the
kafeneion, then the real talking begins. ...In other words, acquiring a
thorough knowledge of the lives of the peasants today ought to enable us to have
a psychological understanding of prehistoric events and to understand thoughts
which have no written documents to explain them." (Ages and days in Cyprus, p.
78)
The
wonderful years of the Swedish Cyprus Expedition
Later
this year a new book will appear, about the fantastic years of the four Swedish
archaeologists in Cyprus. This picture-book is published in honour of the
Swedish Cyprus Expedition, which started its pioneering excavations in Cyprus in
the autumn 1927. The main purpose is to give some glimpses of the everyday life
behind the hard work of the scientific excavations carried out by the young
Swedish archaeologists, assisted by their many Cypriot friends and workmen. The
photographs belong to the archives of the Cyprus collections in Medelhavsmuseet,
Stockholm, and are copies from the old glass negatives from the period
1927-1936, including some from the years following the return of the Swedish
Cyprus Expedition to Stockholm. Most of the photographs have never been
published before. All sites, except three, excavated by the Swedes are situated
in the northern part of Cyprus, which for 29 years now has illegaly been
occupied by Turkey. Many photographs are therefore important documents of the
beautiful and remote parts of the island, now inaccessible to the
Greek-Cypriots, their friends and most scholars. Many of the sites are destroyed
or transformed into military areas.
Bibliography
Where
to read about the The Swedish Cyprus Expedition
Gjerstad,
E. et al., The Swedish Cyprus Expedition.
Finds and Results of the Excavations in Cyprus 1927-31. Bd
I-IV:3. Stockholm,
Lund 1934-72.
Gjerstad,
E., Ages and Days. SIMA
Pocket-book 12. Göteborg 1980.
Hult,
G., Nitovikla Reconsidered. (MedMusM,
8). Stockholm 1992.
Hult,
G., Nitovikla Reconsidered, in Acta
Cypria Part 2, SIMA Pb 117 (ed.P.Åström). Jonsered 1992.
Karageorghis,
V., Styrenius, C.-G. and Winbladh, M.-L., Cypriote antiquities in the
Medelhavsmuseet (MedMusM, 2), Stockholm 1977.
Rystedt,
E.,(ed.) The Swedish Cyprus Expedition. The Living
Past. (MedMusM, 9), Stockholm 1994.
Sjöqvist,
E.,
Problems of the Late Cypriote Bronze
Age. Stockholm 1940.
Åström,
P.,
Gjerstad, E., Merrillees, R.S., and Westholm, A., "The Fantastic Years on Cyprus" The Swedish
Cyprus Expedition and its Members. Jonsered 1994. SIMA Pocket-book
79.
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