History

25 Mar 1928

The Swedish archaeologist Alfred Westholm, alias Alfiros, was thrilled with a find at Soli

 

The Swedish archaeologist Alfred Westholm, alias Alfiros, was thrilled with a find at Soli:

Saturday brought a ray of light with respect to finds as well as other circumstances. Only a few minutes before Lazaros sounded the whistle to stop work for the week, I heard excited voices among the workers as I was paying out wages in the tent. I was called out, and in the entrance to a chamber tomb on the slope behind the theatre I found a large – by our standards – and very significant coin treasure of about 70 bronze coins and a lovely Cypriote gold coin as well. It is nothing grandiose, but it should give us a few names of kings at Soli. It was naturally not I who brought luck with me this time, for just a moment earlier Gjerstad had arrived with Vivi, who possesses phenomenal luck in anything to do with archaeology. Their arrival was also the real ray of light I mentioned above. Vivi was to experience a pay-day, an event that can really be worth a trip up from Nicosia. Both of them stayed the night, and in the evening I arranged a dinner as good as Karavostasi can offer. What an ideal opportunity had come my way, for me to show my gratitude for the overwhelming generosity we all have enjoyed at the Gjerstads’ this winter! Of course, we have also reciprocated from our side as best we could, and even if I myself supplied most of the ideas for the arrangements, it is always annoying to share the role of host with so many others. But this time, for once! No pains or costs were spared, and I hope everything was a success. What a great and important task Vivi has on this expedition, so full of difficult contradictions, and how charmingly she fulfills it!