As I have spent time in Cyprus introducing myself to locals as an American archaeologist, I have been received differently than I ever expected to be. I’m not sure what I expected really, maybe some animosity towards me as an American, but perhaps the fact that I had come to study and celebrate this country’s history would win me some points. However, people have reacted to me in almost the opposite way. I’ve never received any negative responses to the fact that I’m American, only questions and surprised looks, it doesn’t appear that many Americans end up in Larnaca. And regarding the dig, the people we meet ask countless questions in sheer amazement that we’ve come all this way to dig and study here, they ask where we’re working, and why, and seem to genuinely wonder if there is anything worth digging for here on their little island. Somehow, before coming, I thought the locals would at least know that the island has archaeology happening on it consistently and that there is so much history to unearth. Instead, people wonder why we would choose to come here and doubt we’ll find anything of interest. 

I know archaeology is a complex and sometimes controversial field, and sometimes it feels odd to be an outsider taking up this space. The people who live and work here deserve to know about  the history here and the and have the opportunity to learn from the archaeology as much as we do as foreigners coming here on a field trip. In some way, I hope our presence lets people know the possibility is there, and perhaps the things we learn and find at Vigla will add something to the rich story of Cyprus.

Annika Schramm