Polish Archaeology in the Mediterranean (12.2000(2001))

NEA PAPHOS

CYPRUS


The team continued documenting a very
rich collection of pottery ranging from
Late Classical to Byzantine times, re-
covered during excavations of the region of
Maloutena in the southwest part of the
ancient town.
Other objects, such as numerous
terracotta figurine fragments, stone and
metal items, as well as lamps and stamped
amphora handles were also checked, some
of them drawn or rephotographed with a
view to preparing the final publication of
the so-called Villa of Theseus.
Beside the work on the finds coming
from the above-mentioned villa and the
earlier strata underneath this large edifice,
the team also continued recording finds
from the so-called House of Aion. The
geometric mosaics in the southeastern
rooms of the latter building were cleaned

and prepared for a consolidation of the
edges to be carried out by a team from the
Department of Antiquities.
The mosaics in the Villa of Theseus
were re-examined to verify their current
state of preservation following the removal
of the old protective shelters by the
company preparing new tourist walkways
on the site. It was concluded that in view
of the heavy rains and strong sea winds
prevalent in the area, new roofing is
urgently needed, if the pavements,
especially the figural ones are to be
preserved for posterity. A new protective
structure is foreseen as the next stage of
preparations for the opening of the
Archaeological Park.
The coming season will be devoted to a
re-examination of the architectural
remains.