Paphos Theatre Archaeological Project: The official site of the Australian archaeological mission to Paphos in Cyprus
Posted on 02/11/2020 8:48:08 AM PST by SunkenCiv
The theatre of ancient Nea Paphos is one of the most significant Hellenistic-Roman structures in Cyprus; it was in use for more than six centuries between its construction in c. 300 BC and its final destruction by earthquake around 365 AD.
It was initially used for dramatic performances, but in its final Roman phases the theatre was converted to an arena and could be flooded for water spectacles... the Hellenistic-Roman theatre, located in the north-east corner of the ancient capital of Cyprus.
A number of trenches were opened by the Australian team with the intention of exposing the continuation of the paved Roman road, located south of the theatre. This east-west running road, more than eight and a half metres wide and with a sophisticated drainage network, would have serviced the north-eastern gate of the ancient city. Wheel ruts indicate it was used by vehicular traffic as well as pedestrian...
A wall north of the new rubble road probably represents the foundations of the buildings positioned on the insula block between the road network. The function of these buildings remains unknown at this stage. The excavation of fragments of painted plaster of the late Hellenistic or early Roman period indicate that at least parts of the buildings were in use for at least several centuries. They will be investigated in future excavation seasons...
Unlike the other ancient theatres excavated on the island, the theatre will never be restored which will enable future nuanced research into the architectural development of Hellenistic and Roman theatres in Cyprus. The Australian team will return to the site next year to mark the excavation's 25th anniversary and is working towards a major publication on the architecture and moveable finds from the theatre.
(Excerpt) Read more at in-cyprus.com ...
Such Paphos.
Or is it just Paphetic?
The snakes hang thick from those Cyprus trees, like sausage on a smokehouse wall.
The swamp is alive with a thousand eyes
An’ all of them watching you.
:^)
Do any Cypriote archaeologists go to Australia to dig up Aboriginal sites?
I very much doubt if there are any aboriginal sites in Australia for a Cypriot to dig up...
If there even *are* any, I doubt they’d do it, sounds like major snoozers to me.
Agreed. My question was tongue-in-cheek. Probably there are people for whom Paleolithic sites are interesting, but for me a Bronze Age or Iron Age/classical site in Cyprus, Israel, Greece, Italy, or elsewhere in Europe would hold much greater interest.
:^) I kinda guessed that -- you've probably shared my bemusement at the "no graverobbing" school of non-thought sometimes seen trolling in the archaeology / history topics.
And we're in agreement about greater interest in classical antiquity, although my interest in prehistoric (and allegedly prehistoric) cultures has definitely risen during the past 20 years. :^)
:^) I kinda guessed that -- you've probably shared my bemusement at the "no graverobbing" school of non-thought sometimes seen trolling in the archaeology / history topics.
And we're in agreement about greater interest in classical antiquity, although my interest in prehistoric (and allegedly prehistoric) cultures has definitely risen during the past 20 years. :^)
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