Polish archaeologists excavating the ancient city of Paphos have uncovered evidence of one of the city’s oldest known buildings after discovering fragments of a wine amphora dating to the 2nd century BC.
The find confirms that the remains of a structure discovered at the site belong to the Hellenistic period, offering rare insight into the city’s early development. It was a joint Polish archaeological expedition undertaken by Professor Ewdoksia Papuci-Władyka.
The site in the western part of Nea Paphos has been the focus of researchers at the Centre of Mediterranean Archaeology at the University of Warsaw and Jagiellonian University.
The excavations have discovered a relatively well-preserved corner of what appears to be a residential structure. Professor Papuci-Władyka notes that ceramic fragments originally pointed to the structure as dating to the late Hellenistic period. Now that analysis has been corroborated by the recent discovery of amphora fragments.
“The amphora we found can be dated to around 117 BC,” Papuci-Władyka said. “This allows us to determine with considerable certainty that the building remains date to the 2nd or early 1st century BC.”
Stamped amphorae are particularly useful for archaeologists because they often carry marks identifying officials responsible for supervising trade or production. These stamps provide reliable chronological evidence, helping researchers date archaeological layers and structures.
During antiquity, Cyprus was an important crossroads linking the Near East, Egypt, and the Greek world. Nea Paphos began life in the late 4th century BC. It later became the administrative and political centre of the island during the Hellenistic and Roman periods. But early Hellenistic buildings rarely survive in Paphos. Many structures had been destroyed by earthquakes, and later Roman buildings were often constructed directly on top of earlier ruins.
“Most of the architecture visible in Paphos today comes from the Roman period,” Papuci-Władyka explained. “Finding well-preserved walls from the Hellenistic period is extremely rare.”
Other items discovered at the site include fragments of tableware and even amphorae imported from across the Mediterranean – Rhodes, Kos, Thassos and parts of the Black Sea and the Levant – which emphasise Paphos’ large-scale trade connections.
Researchers also found a large underground chamber beneath the house — likely a cistern used to collect rainwater, a crucial component in a region historically affected by water shortages. The Polish team plans to continue excavations in future seasons to reveal more of the structure and learn more about the early architecture of ancient Paphos.
Sources : PAP
