During the October hearings on the renewal of Cyprus’ Memorandum of Understanding, CAARI co-hosted a program and reception at the Embassy of Cyprus. Attendees learned about the wide range of diplomatic, legal, regulatory, and policing initiatives being implemented by the Republic of Cyprus to halt illegal trafficking of cultural heritage. They also gained a vivid glimpse of the way individual archaeologists – if they have the imagination that CAARI’s Director, Andrew McCarthy has – can use their digs to protect them. Dr. McCarthy showed how he initiated a festive annual cook-off in a village near his site by replicating the extraordinary prehistoric roasting pit found there, and putting it to use. Villagers and visitors alike gained a new appreciation for the site, and for the way it could bring value to the surrounding community.
The program’s distinguished participants were: Dr. Leonidas Pantelides, Ambassador of the Republic of Cyprus; Dr. Marina Solomidou-Ieronymidou, Director of the Department of Antiquities, Republic of Cyprus; Dr. Andrew McCarthy, CAARI Director; Mr. Michalis Gavrielides, Police Inspector, Cultural Heritage Office, Cyprus Police; Dr. Evangelini Markou, Numismatist-Researcher, National Research Institute-Athens.
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