Archaeology in Cyprus, 1981–85

Abstract

The following report summarizes the principal archaeological activities on Cyprus in the years 1981-85. For various reasons it has had to be compiled in a very short space of time and cannot, therefore, be as full as might be wished. The information on excavations and museum acquisitions has been condensed from the reports submitted annually to the Bulletin de Correspondance Hellenique by Dr Vassos Karageorghis, Director for the Department of Antiquities. I am also grateful to Dr. Karageorghis for sending photographs at short notice. Unfortunately these were delayed in the post beyond the printer's deadline. Further photographs have been supplied by Dr R. J. A. Wilson, Dr E. J. Peltenburg and Professor F. G. Maier. An attempt has been made to supply as much extra bibliographic information as possible but this is by no means complete. Much more bibliographic detail can be obtained from L. Ieronomachou's 'Cypriote Bibliography: Archaeology 1979-1981', RDAC 1982, 260-69 (for the start of the period covered here) and from the comprehensive bibliographies given in Archaeology In Cyprus 1960-1985, V. Karageorghis, ed. (Nicosia, 1985), which also contains a general bibliography covering the years 1935-85. again compiled by L. Ieronomachou. See also S. Swiny, 'Recent Developments in Cypriot Prehistoric Archaeology', American Journal of Archaeology 89 (1985), 39-51. Dr E. J. Peltenburg has kindly helped with bibliographical information. I am also grateful to Pamela Magrill for her invaluable assistance in the preparation of this report. Despite the continuing armed occupation of the north of the island by the Turkish government the pace of archaeological investigation on Cyprus has continued to grow in these years. Archaeological missions from Britain, America, France, Sweden, Canada, Switzerland and Poland have all been active. The Department of Antiquities has conducted major excavations (see below) at Amathus, Kourion, Kato Paphos, Maa Palaeokastro, Pyla Kokkinokremos and Alassa and has carried out rescue excavations throughout the island (particularly in response to tourist development at Kato Paphos and Amathus). In addition the Department has pursued an active policy of restoration on monuments of all periods including the Temple of Apollo Hylates at Kourion (Fig. 1), the house of Hadjigeorghakis in Nicosia (see RDAC 1985, 350-63) and the House of Aion at Kato Paphos. Particular attention has been given to churches, mosques and traditional architecture (see RDAC 1984, 354— 74). A special exhibition was mounted in the Cyprus Museum in 1985 to mark the fiftieth anniversary of the Department and was opened by the President of the Republic. In addition a mediaeval museum has been opened in Limassol Castle and additions made to the Yeroskipou Folk Art Museum. Further details of the Department's activities will be found in the Annual Report of the Director of Antiquities for the relevant years.