Polish Archaeology in the Mediterranean (13.2001(2002))

NEA PAPHOS

CYPRUS

foundation appears to be the extension of
a wall uncovered in 1975/6 under the
central panel of the mosaic (cf. Fig. 1).
Sherds of Hellenistic date (2nd century
BC) were discovered among the stones of
the upper part of the foundation.
Excavation continued in the eastern
part of the pit along the foundation. The
layer of brownish soil and some gravel
contained sherds of Attic black-glazed
ware, fragments of Color-Coated Ware and,
at a depth of about 0.65 m, a Rhodian
amphora handle with a stamp bearing the


Fig. 2. Villa of Theseus. Pit in the southeastern
part of Room 76. View from the north
(Photo W.A. Daszewski)

name of Olympos and a rose.7) The stone
foundation ends at a depth of 0.93-0.95 m.
In the course of excavations, the
northern face of the south wall of room 76
was cleared. It was found that the south
wall of the room was set upon a wall of
earlier, Hellenistic date {Fig. 2). Two
courses of large, rectangular blocks
(respectively 0.15; 0.32; 0.36 and 0.33 m
wide) mark the top of this earlier wall. Its
lower part (0.44 m) was made of small
irregular stones.
The results of this investigation
confirm the date of construction of the
Villa and the fact that it was built upon the
northern part of the Hellenistic House. No
new data was found to throw light on
when the mosaic floors were laid.
Therefore, the date provided by the coin of
Emperor Valentinian must still be
regarded as conclusive evidence.

7) Stamps of the producer Olympos are known from several places, for instance, Pergamon, Tarsus, Olbia, Tell Atrib.
Apart form the name, they frequently include a representation of a rose blossom, as is the case of the stamp from Paphos.
Olympos appears to have been active in 212-185 BC. Cf. Z. Sztetyllo, Tell Atrib 1985-1995. I. Pottery Stamps (with K.
Mysliwiec, Rescue Excavations) (Warsaw 2000), 109, No. 99, with further bibliography.

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