The archive of his excavations in Curium, carried out in the late 1970s and 1980s, was donated on the 11th of February 2025 to the Department of Antiquities of the Deputy Ministry of Culture by Dr. David Soren (University of Arizona), with the Department of Antiquities stating that the donation of the archive is part of the efforts to collect files and records related to the history of Cypriot archaeology.
According to an Antiquities Department press release, the archive consists of personal notes, articles and correspondence, field books and note books, more than 9,000 negatives and slides, over 400 drawings of objects and plans as well as audiovisual material.
As it is explained, Dr. Soren’s material concerns his excavations at the Sanctuary of Apollo Hylates (1978-1981; University of Missouri-Columbia), the Acropolis of Kourion, and at the so-called Earthquake House (1984-1987; University of Arizona).
It is noted that the material was recently shipped from Arizona and it was received at the Cyprus Museum by the Director of the Department of Antiquities, Giorgos Georgiou, and the Curator of Antiquities, Eftychia Zachariou, during a symbolic hybrid ceremony, which was held on the 11th of February 2025 and was attended by Dr Soren.
“The Director of the Department of Antiquities expressed the Department’s warm thanks to Dr. Soren for the donation of his archive from the excavations at Kourion”, the press release says.
It is added that this donation is a significant addition to the preservation of Cyprus’ cultural heritage, while material from the archive itself will enhance the exhibition galleries of the new Cyprus Archaeological Museum, which is under construction.
“The donation of the archive to the Department of Antiquities is part of the latter’s efforts to collect files and records related to the history of Cypriot archaeology”, it is further noted.
David Soren is the Regents’ Professor of Anthropology and Classics at the University of Arizona. His BA is from Dartmouth College in Greek and Roman Studies. His MA from Harvard is in Fine Arts and his PhD also from Harvard is in Classical Archaeology. He is the former Curator of Coins at the Fogg Art Museum and was a professor and department head at the University of Missouri – Columbia from 1972 to 1982 after which he became a professor and Department Head at the University of Arizona with a courtesy appointment also in the Art History Department. He has directed archaeological excavations in Cyprus, Portugal, and Italy, and has published 9 books and more than 80 scholarly articles on Roman archaeology.
Also read: Cyprus Archaeological Museum construction progressing
Source: CNA
