Paphos: Significant maritime links between Cape Drepanum of Paphos and South Palestine in the 6th century AD are attested by amphorae finds unearthed by the New York University team in the Maniki harbour, near Agios Georgios Pegeias, during the 2024 excavation period.
According to Cyprus News Agency, the Department of Antiquities announced the completion of New York University’s Geronisos Island Expedition which included excavations, surveys, and studies at Agios Georgios Pegeias. The expedition was led by Joan Breton Connelly, Professor of Classics at New York University. The archaeological work was conducted at Maniki Harbour and on Yeronisos Island, with further surveys at the Meletis Necropolis.
An international team of scholars and NYU students participated in this multidisciplinary program. Notable contributors included Dr. Theotokis Theodoulou of the Ephorate for Underwater Antiquities and Dr. Alexandros Tourtas of the University of the Aegean, who worked on publishing their coastal, underwater, and
aerial surveys.
The research encompassed exploration and documentation of approximately 3.5 kilometers of the Cape Drepanum coast. Dr. Theodoulou examined stone anchors and amphorae that underwent desalination treatment, while Dr. Tourtas began digitizing site and trench plans to integrate terrestrial and underwater investigations.
The excavation unearthed substantial deposits of late Roman amphorae at Maniki Harbour, including locally manufactured Late Roman 1 type amphorae and ‘Palestinian bag-shaped amphorae,’ highlighting significant maritime connections with South Palestine.
Additional excavations on Yeronisos revealed late Ptolemaic period walls, and Prof. Jolanta Mlynarczyk of the University of Warsaw studied Hellenistic and early Byzantine pottery from these trenches. Philip Ebeling of Westfälische Wilhelms-Universität Mnster continued his analysis of Hellenistic roof tiles, determining the original dimensions of pan-tiles and cover-tiles.
Architect Pieter Brouke continued his study of Geronisos a
rchitectural elements. Dr. Mariusz Burdajewicz completed documenting glass finds from a tomb at Meletis, while Prof. Mlynarczyk analyzed pottery and oil lamps. Dr. Marianna Dági, alongside Dr. Thilo Rehren and Dr. Meghna Desai, conducted hhXRF analysis of metals, showcasing collaboration between the Cyprus Institute and New York University.