Completion of two archaeological excavations

The Ministry of Communications and Works, Department of Antiquities, has announced the completion of the two excavations that were conducted within the project entitled EUMATHIOS PHILOKALES, Promotion of Selected Middle Byzantine Monuments of Crete and Cyprus, using innovative methods. The project is co-funded by the European Regional Development Fund via the Cross-Border Cooperation Programme Greece-Cyprus 2007-2013.

The first excavation was conducted between 25 July and 10 October 2011 at the Church of Agia Marina at Kandou, under the supervision of the contract archaeologist Ms. Doria Nikolaou. The excavation revealed a small monastic complex (Holy Monastery of Panagia Amasgous), dated to the 16th century A.D., which formed part of the above church. It is comprised of a Ã-shaped atrium, found along the south and west part of the church, a row of rooms on the south and an enclosure wall along the west part of the church. There is an additional room with burials northwest of the church, whereas the remaining section of this side which is not within the covered complex area was used as a burial ground, mostly for infants. Some of the most important movable finds are five gold coins (histamena) of Constantine X Doukas (1059-1067), which confirm the hypothesis that the Church was initially built during the middle of the 11th century A.D. The architectural structures drawing documentation, on which the site management study will be based, has been completed. The site has been fenced.

The second excavation was conducted in the surrounding area of the church of Panagia at Kofinou, between 8 August 2011 and 8 November, under the supervision of the contract archaeologist Ms. Demetra Demetriou. The excavation fully revealed the initial phase of the church, that is, a 7th century A.D. three-aisled transitional barrel-vaulted basilica, a room to the west (narthex/liti) and a row of adjacent rooms to the south which probably indicate the presence of a monastic complex, the limits of which have not been fully revealed. The documentation of the architectural findings is currently being prepared, whereas the preliminary linear drawings have been completed. The site has been fenced and the study for the management of the site is currently on-going.

The total amount required for these works was 101,000 euros.