HISTORY ETHNOGRAPHY NATURE WINE-MAKING SITE MAP
Selected and rare materials, excerpts and observations from ancient, medieval and contemporary authors, travelers and researchers about Cyprus.
 
 
 
 
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SIR SAMUEL WHITE BAKER
CYPRUS AS I SAW IT IN 1879
page 247

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exhausted, and the vast heaps of scoriae which nova mark the sites of their operations may be the remainsl of works that were deserted as worn out and unpro-j ductive. It is true that traces of copper are visiblej in many places throughout the metamorphous rocksJ and the greenstone from Soli to Poli-ton-Krysokhusj but it remains to be proved whether the metal exists in sufficient quantities to be profitably worked. It is generally believed that zinc was formerly produced! at Soli, where vestiges of ancient mining operation:! are to be seen upon the surface, but for many cen-j turies the works have been abandoned. A very careful scientific examination of the islane has been made by various explorers—M. Gaudryjj Unger, and Kotschy : their reports are not encourag ing, but at the same time it must be allowed that they were not practical miners. The work cj M. Gaudry must always be accepted as a mosi valuable authority upon the geology, mineralogy, and general agricultural resources of Cyprus, but it wil be remarked by all practical men that the explorations of the country have been superficial ; no money haa been expended ; and is it to be supposed that thjj surface of the earth will spontaneously reveal the secrets of the interior ? Under the present administration it is quite impossible to say too much in praise of the energy and painstaking devotion to the interests of Great Britair and to those of this island by the High Commissione and every officer, from the commissioners of district: •to the subordinate officials; but according to the term! .of the Convention with the Porte the island is a: : completely denuded of money as the summits of t l cretaceous hills have been denuded of soil by th<

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