The Department of Antiquities, Ministry of Transport, Communications and Works announces the end of the 2021 excavation period at Pamboula in Larnaca (ancient Kition), which took place for a period of four weeks during October 2021. The excavations are carried out by the French Archaeological Mission of the MEAE-CNRS-University of Lyon 2, under the direction of Dr. Sabine Fourrier. This year's investigations had three objectives: a) to complete the excavation of the ancient Kition neoria which had been uncovered in previous research periods (1984˗1999). The completion of the investigations in the neoria had been delayed because of the presence there of the modern tennis courts, which were recently moved, b) to study the stratigraphy of the site from the Cypro-Archaic to the Cypro-Geometric layers excavation section 11 and c) to continue the uncovering of the layers dating to the so-called 'transitional period' (12th and 11th centuries). B.C.) in Section 10.
The completion of the excavation of the neoria of ancient Kition was achieved after the removal of the tennis courts from the site. Two main axes guided the investigations here: 1) the boundaries and shape of the harbour basin and 2) the possible extension of the covered ship lifting areas to the east.
Findings from two exploratory cuts in the northern and eastern parts of the site (below the area where the tennis courts were located) showed that the harbour basin extended across the entire area of the present archaeological site. The 'enclosed' harbour mentioned by Strabo was a naturally protected bay with access from the north rather than the east, which was connected to the bay at Kathari to the north. Sailing from the north, the ancient triremes could be easily channelled (stern first) to the lifting ramps of the covered storage areas.
Fig. 1. general view of the eastern part of the nave. On the left: the base of a column belonging to the eastern row of the 7th ramp (A. Rabot).
Excavations to the east of the ship's holds revealed at least one more hoist ramp (fig. 1) which is documented by the base of a column. This base is made of a large section of limestone supported by large boulders (fig. 2). To the east, a wall of limestone was uncovered which is associated with another possible base that may have served as a wall enclosing the building. Further east, newer additions were removed.
Fig. 2. Column base flanking the 7th ramp of the covered ship storage areas. View from the north.
The results of the excavations at the site of the nerites allow us to suggest that there was a building on the site consisting of 7 rows of ramps, open to the harbour bay on the north, bounded by built terraces on its west and south sides and a wall built by a series of bases and supporting columns on its east side.
Section 11
The investigation of the Iron Age stratigraphy in this section extended to the Classic strata. The architectural remains are preserved in a very fragmentary state but a deposit (pit) was excavated which was found filled with Phoenician sherds (inscriptions). The concentration of such a quantity of administrative documents is an indication of the presence in the area of an office linked to the royal administration. The variety of materials on which inscriptions were found is impressive: ceramic sherds, limestone and gypsum sherds (fig. 3) and even pebbles.
Fig. 3. Phoenician inscription on a limestone slab.
The settlement dating to the 'transitional period' (12th˗11th century BC) was further investigated to the north (fig. 4). Part of a very well-preserved house with successive floors (limestone floors covering a layer of gravel), a hearth and the possible establishment of a craftsman was revealed.
Fig. 4. Section 10: settlement of the 'transitional' period (A. Rabot).
(MB/EXP)
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