By Heidi Trautmann

A remarkable man this Bill Dreghorn who said ‘a picture says a thousand words’ or ‘You can only see what you understand’ ‘Go and see for yourself’, simple but wise words and I can full heartedly confirm it.

Born in 1908 in London he lived through two world wars, travelled a lot, always with his sketch book ready for documenting what he saw. He was senior lecturer in geology in Bristol when he decided on an early retirement in order to research geology in Cyprus. He moved here in 1968 and lived in Kyrenia, later in Famagusta where he also died in 2001.

He is known for his many books and his simple and detailed descriptions not only in geology but in archaeology as well. It is the details he was interested in.

Now, in 2013, within the framework of the “Museums Week 2013” and the activities at the Kyrenia Castle, the permanent exhibition of drawings he did around the Kyrenia castle was inaugurated by the Antiquity Department in the presence of the Minister of Tourism, Environment and Culture and by Müge Sevketoglu, PhD Archaeologist, Centre of Archaeology, Cultural Heritage and Conservation, Cyprus International University who also wrote a very touching personal introduction to the new booklet ‘Castle Sketch Book’. This book is published by the Antiquity Department and shows scenes of castle life, the various periods of construction, starting with the Roman chain tower of 200 a.d., methods of defence, what weapons were being used and how the soldiers must have lived.

Dr. William Dreghorn was a very appreciated personality not only among colleagues and students but also by all Cypriots and they recognized him as one of them, as a Cypriot. His works, books, drawings and water colours are archived with the Department of Cultural Heritage and Conservation, and,  as I was told, great efforts are being made to explore the entire literary legacy and prepare it together with the art works for a grand exhibition for all to see.

A very interesting life which requires more studies.

PS: I seized the chance of my visit to the inauguration to have a look around again to refresh my memory of the shipwreck museum and other departments and was excited to see the improvements on conserving the remains of the ship by a sealed temperature and humidity controlled ‘chamber’ You can admire it from above through a window. Very well done.