An extensive archaeological excavation in the ancient city of Palaepaphos, Cyprus, has recently uncovered significant classical fortifications. Researchers have identified a formidable series of large stone towers and a substantial defensive wall. The ongoing fieldwork, a collaborative effort between the Universities of Copenhagen and Uppsala, along with students from an unspecified institution, has also revealed an Iron Age sanctuary. This sanctuary contained fragments of votive figurines, providing glimpses into ancient religious practices. Furthermore, evidence of a sophisticated Hellenistic and Late Roman settlement has been found, complete with an intricate water-management system. These groundbreaking discoveries are expected to profoundly alter our perception of Palaepaphos's historical strategic importance and urban development.
The current fieldwork, scheduled to continue through the spring and autumn of 2025, is primarily focused on meticulously investigating the classical fortifications. The central objective is to thoroughly assess the defensive capabilities of ancient Palaepaphos, a site already recognised for its palatial complex and impressive wall structures. The unearthing of these extensive fortifications confirms Palaepaphos as a city-state possessing advanced planning and construction expertise, challenging previous assumptions about its scale. Project directors Dr. Kristina Winther-Jacobsen and Dr. Angus Graham have expressed considerable optimism that these findings will solidify Palaepaphos's reputation as a well-fortified and centrally administered hub of its era.
Beyond the imposing military architecture, the archaeological team, with excavation leadership from Dr. Roser Marsal, has made remarkable discoveries concerning the site's broader historical narrative. The Iron Age sanctuary yielded fragments of handmade figurines, including depictions of horses, a bull, and a goddess potentially identified as Astarte. These artifacts offer invaluable insights into the religious practices of that ancient period. Moreover, the identification of a Hellenistic and Late Roman settlement within areas like Laona and Hadjiabdoullah has revealed the presence of an extensive water-management system. This system, incorporating artificial terraces, basins, cisterns, and plastered hydraulic installations, underscores the inhabitants' remarkable ingenuity in resource management.
These revelations extend beyond Palaepaphos itself, as parallel research in the Peristerona River valley investigates the profound impact of Roman copper production on social organization and the local environment. The integration of these findings with those from Palaepaphos suggests a complex interplay between resource extraction, urban development, and ritualistic activities. The discovery of these ancient urban fabrics and monuments, largely preserved beneath a shallow soil layer, has prompted swift protective action from the Cypriot antiquities department. A unified protective fence was completed around expropriated areas in October, a crucial measure for preserving the remarkably intact fortifications, palace, and workshops. The period after approximately 300 BC, previously considered a decline, now appears to have been a time of continued human activity and adaptation, as evidenced by the later Roman settlement and sophisticated water systems. These comprehensive discoveries promise to enrich our understanding of ancient Mediterranean civilizations.