**PALAEPAPHOS, CYPRUS** – A significant archaeological undertaking in ancient Palaepaphos, Cyprus, has brought to light extensive classical fortifications, including a formidable series of large stone towers and a substantial defensive wall. The ongoing excavations, spearheaded by researchers from the Universities of Copenhagen and Uppsala, alongside a cohort of students from an unnamed university, have also unearthed an Iron Age sanctuary containing fragments of votive figurines and evidence of a sophisticated Hellenistic and Late Roman settlement complete with an intricate water-management system. These discoveries are poised to dramatically reshape our understanding of the strategic importance and urban sophistication of this ancient city-state.
The fieldwork, which is scheduled to continue through the spring and autumn of 2025, is primarily focused on meticulously investigating the classical fortifications. The aim is to thoroughly assess the defensive capabilities of ancient Palaepaphos, a site previously known for its palatial complex, great wall, and a series of towers. The unearthing of these structures confirms Palaepaphos as a city-state possessing advanced planning and construction skills, challenging earlier assumptions about the scale of its fortifications. Project directors Dr. Kristina Winther-Jacobsen and Dr. Angus Graham have expressed 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 provided by Dr. Roser Marsal, has made remarkable discoveries concerning the site's broader history. The Iron Age sanctuary yielded fragments of handmade figurines, including depictions of horses, a bull, and a goddess believed to be Astarte, offering invaluable insights into the religious practices of the period. Furthermore, the identification of a Hellenistic and Late Roman settlement, situated in areas like Laona and Hadjiabdoullah within Palaepaphos, has revealed the presence of an extensive water-management system. This system includes artificial terraces, basins, cisterns, and plastered hydraulic installations, underscoring the inhabitants' ingenuity in resource management.
These revelations are not confined to Palaepaphos alone. Parallel research in the Peristerona River valley, specifically in the cultivated plateau north of Xyliatos and the wider hinterland encompassing Xyliatos and Nikitari, is investigating 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 layer of soil, has prompted swift action from the Cypriot antiquities department and the deputy cultural ministry.
In a significant development towards safeguarding these invaluable heritage sites, a unified protective fence was completed around expropriated areas in October. This measure is crucial for the preservation of fortifications, the palace, and workshops that have remained remarkably intact. The period after approximately 300 BC, when significant construction at Palaepaphos is understood to have ceased, now appears to be a time of continued, albeit different, human activity and adaptation, as evidenced by the later Roman settlement and the sophisticated water systems. The comprehensive nature of these discoveries promises to enrich our understanding of ancient Mediterranean civilizations and highlights the ongoing importance of archaeological exploration.