Welcome to the Australian Archaeological Mission to Paphos in Cyprus
The Department of Archaeology of the University of Sydney has been excavating the site of the ancient Hellenistic-Roman theatre of Nea Paphos, under the auspices of the Department of Antiquities of the Republic of Cyprus since 1995.
The project is directed by Emeritus Professor J.R. Green, Dr Smadar Gabrieli and Dr Craig Barker.
The excavations are conducted by the University of Sydney on behalf of the Department of Antiquities of Cyprus.
The project has received financial sponsorship from the AAIA (Australian Archaeological Institute at Athens) since 2009, and since 2011 is the official excavation project of the Nicholson Museum.
Follow the work we did during our 2011 season on our site blog!
NEWS
See the feature on the project on the ABC Science online website from May 2012.
The 2012 season will take place between 24 September and the 28 October.
Student applications are now open for students of the University of Sydney and other tertiary institutions. More details on costs, details and application forms can be found here. Applications close 1 June 2012.
Details of volunteer applications for our volunteer program will be announced here shortly.
The excavation blog shall be running again during the fieldwork.
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News
The 2011 season will begin on 3 October. Don't forget to follow our Education Blog (or follow us on Facebook and Twitter!)
Read about the University of Wollongong's recent art exhibition based upon works by the Senior Artists Research Forum!
Read about our 2010 most recent season of excavations. Read about the season in Greek. See some images of the 2010 team at work.
An article on the 2010 season in the Cyprus Mail.
An article on the 2010 season in the Cyprus Weekly (page 7).
Hear a lecture on the site by Dr Craig Barker, presented to the Friends of the Nicholson Museum at the University of Sydney on 22 February 2011.
Follow Us!
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Support Us!
Would you like to donate to assist us with our research and to support our students while we offer quality field training? Australian donations are tax deductible through the University of Sydney. If you would like to donate click here to contact the director of the excavations.
ANCIENT PAPHOS AND THE TOWN'S THEATRE
Nea Paphos was the capital of the island of Cyprus in the Hellenistic and Roman periods. Local legend proclaims the city was founded in the end of the fourth century BC by a local king named Nikokles, although increasing archaeological evidence has been located for pre-"foundation" occupation in the area. Certainly the natural harbour made the location a favourable one for the changing trade patterns soon to spring up across the eastern Mediterranean in the wake of the conquests of Alexander the Great. By the beginning of the third century BC Cyprus is brought under the control of the Ptolemaic kingdom based in Alexandria in Egypt, and Paphos is made the island's capital. Paphos becomes a major trading emporio in the Hellenistic and Roman periods becuase of the protection provided by the harbour. The ancient city's significant archaeological remains were recognised in 1980 when Paphos was granted World Heritage listing and the creation of the Paphos Archaeological Park took place. This park incorporates the area of the ancient mosiaced houses including the famous House of Dionysos, the city's Roman Odeion, the Hellenistic necropolis known as the 'Tombs of the Kings' and the site of the theatre where the Australian team have been excavating. The World Heritage listing and the zoned archaeological park are designed to protect the city's heritage from the encrouchment of modern tourist development.
The site of the ancient theatre of Nea Paphos is located in the modern town of Kato Paphos. It was constructed into the southern slope of a hill known as Fabrika Hill since the Medieval period, which is in the very north-east of the ancient walled city. The north-east city gates would have been located very close to the theatre.
The theatre seems to have been constructed around 300 BC, and used as a venue for performance and entertainment for over six and a half centuries. We have been able to identify at least five major phases of remodelling and renovation during the theatre's history representing the changing nature of performance from Greek and Roman audiences, and responses to earthquake damage. At its peak, in the mid-second century AD under the Roman Antonine emperors when the stage building was facaded in marble, the theatre measured over 90 metres from side to side, and had a seating capacity for over 8000 spectators.
By the end of the third century AD, probably after the devastating earthquake of 365 AD, the theatre was abandoned and much of the stonework was robbed and the later quarried for use elsewhere in the town. After a period of abandonment, the site of the ancient theatre sees renewed activity in the 12th and 13th centuries AD, when the harbour of Paphos again become a major economic point of activity, this time for the Crusaders on their way to the Holy Land. Considerable attention is being paid by the Australian team to investigate the Medieval and post-Medieval histories of the site, areas that have, historically, often been neglected in Mediterranean archaeological excavations.
PROJECT NEWS
PROJECT PUBLICATIONS
THE ARCHAEOLOGY OF THE PAPHOS THEATRE
VIDEO FOOTAGE OF THE 2007 SEASON
VIDEO FOOTAGE OF THE 2008 SEASON
READ THE TEXT OF J.R. GREEN'S ARTICLE FROM CYPRUS TODAY APRIL-JUNE 2007
Contact Us
To find out more about our project contact:
Dr Craig Barker
c/- Nicholson Museum
Quadrangle A14
The University of Sydney
NSW 2006
AUSTRALIA
ph: +61 (2) 9036 5409
fax: +61 (2) 9351 7305
craig.barker@sydney.edu.au
University of Sydney Department of Archaeology Projects Website Link
http://www.arts.usyd.edu.au/departs/archaeology/research/projects_europe.shtml
