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.
RECENT NEWS
28 January 2010
An announcement about our 2010 season will be made shortly. If you would like to register your interest in participating in some capacity please email craig.barker@sydney.edu.au Formally applications will be available soon.
Please note before you email, the season will likely take place in October this year, so if you are searching for a summer excavation we will not be able to take you.
Images of the October 2009 Season have now been posted.
View the team at work in 2009 here.
Applications for 2009 Season
3-30 October 2009
Applications for student positions for our 2009 season:
A small field season is planned for October 2009. Click here to find out more details about the 2009 season.
Applications are now closed.
Public Lecture on the Paphos Project
Tuesday 19 May 2009, 6.30pm for 7pm
Australian Museum
Craig Barker of Sydney University Museums explores the work conducted by The University of Sydney on the Hellenistic-Roman theatre in Paphos in Cyprus since 1995. The theatre of Paphos, constructed in c. 300 BC, hosted performances and entertainment for over six centuries. At its greatest extent, under Roman control, the theatre could seat an audience of 8000 spectators. Discover how this ancient theatre has been exposed from the ground through careful archaeological investigation and what this research means for our understanding of Cypriot history.
For more details and bookings.
20 April 2009
THE LATEST technology is being implemented in surveying methods at the site of the ancient Paphos theatre, in a groundbreaking project, the results of which will help to understand and preserve the UNESCO site.
News report from the Cyprus Mail.
The 2008 Season
Read about our 2008 season and see images and video of the team at work.
Read about the project in the Oct-Nov 2008 and Dec 2008-Jan 2009 issues of Archaeological Diggings magazine.
ANCIENT PAPHOS AND IT'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 rennovation 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 spectactors.
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
c.barker@usyd.edu.au
University of Sydney Department of Archaeology Projects Website Link
http://www.arts.usyd.edu.au/departs/archaeology/research/projects_europe.shtml