Excavations reveal shops and building in Nea Paphos

An Australian archaeological excavation project at the site of the Hellenistic – Roman theatre of Nea Paphos has revealed a series of what is believed to be shops and another building.

Archaeologists working at the theatre of Nea Paphos on the southern slope 
of Fabrika hill [Credit: University of Sydney]

The Australian team, which has been excavating at the UNESCO World Heritage site since 1995, conducted its excavations from August 16 to September 20, this year, a Department of Antiquities press release says.

The team was directed by Dr Craig Barker of the University of Sydney, while the excavations are supported by the Nicholson Museum at the University of Sydney and the Australian Archaeological Institute in Athens.

“Through the years of excavation of the ancient theatre, the team has uncovered architectural remains carved out of the bedrock of the southern slope of Fabrika hill, in the north-eastern quarter of the ancient walled city”, the press release says.

The theatre, it adds, “was used as a space for performance and entertainment for over six centuries between c. 300 BC and the late fourth century AD. After its destruction by an earthquake in c. AD 365, the site was quarried and abandoned”.

“During the time of the Crusades and into the Venetian and Ottoman eras considerable agricultural occupation took place over the ruins of the theatre as well as industrial activity”, it notes.

In recent seasons the project has focused on exploring the urban layout of the precinct surrounding the theatre, and the team has uncovered a Roman nymphaeum and a paved Roman road south of the theatre.

In 2014 two trenches were opened; one was located at the rear of the cavea (seating area) of the theatre, and it uncovered the southern-most end of a 20-metre-long building of the 15th-16th centuries AD with very substantial, metre-wide walls.

“The function of this building is not yet clear, but it gives considerable insight into activities that took place in the area during the post-medieval period”, the press release says.

It further adds that “the second trench was to the south of the Roman road, providing evidence of rooms along the building facing onto the streetscape”.

“The evidence so far raises the possibility of a series of shops, while the ceramic evidence suggests the earthquake tumble excavated is related to the destruction of the late fourth century AD”, it notes.

The Australian mission returns to the Nea Paphos theatre next year.

Source: Cyprus Mail [November 15, 2014]