Archaeology
Over recent years we have visited the Kouklia area several times. Originally known as Palaipafos (Old Pafos), the area is full of interesting places such as three Bronze Age cemeteries, the site of the ancient renowned Sanctuary of Aphrodite, a unique ‘siege mound’ from the 5th. century BC, a huge olive oil press and a medieval sugar factory.
Here up in the Diarizos Valley, Dr. Andrew McCarthy has been digging a fascinating site with evidence of habitation from the Neolithic until almost modern times.
Two Polish Universities regularly dig in the Kato Pafos Archaeological Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site. One, from Warsaw, has been excavating some late Roman houses near the mosaics, whilst another, from Krakow, have been uncovering shops and other buildings around the Agora facing the small Odeon theatre.
At the Fabrika Hill site, across the main road from the Park, and not far from Ayia Kyriaki church, another two overseas universities have also provided us with regular fascinating insights into the painstaking work involved in modern archaeology. The dig Directors, from Avignon and Sydney, are always pleased to show us their progress. In return, we have regularly provided volunteers to help them clean their finds.
Our ‘indoor’ meetings have included talks about topics as diverse as the techniques of digging (we have had courses led by professionals), Roman sites in Cyprus and UK, the archaeology of Orkney, Malta and Lebanon, as well as films about Salamis and underwater archaeology.