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Pyla-Koutsopetria Archaeological Project (PKAP) is an archaeological survey and excavation of Iron Age, Hellenistic, and Roman sites near the modern village of Pyla, Cyprus. The survey is located along the southern coast of Cyprus to the east of the city of Larnaka.

Map of Cyprus

A basic overview of the project and the information the project has contributed to Cypriot archaeology will be presented. This article serves as a general overview of the project that combines the available resources and presents them to the public in a user friendly format.

History of PKAP

The site plan for PKAP was established through 5 years of GPS survey, pedestrian surveys executed between 2003 and 2009, and geophysical prospection in 2007 and 2009. Since 2003, PKAP has conducted field work at Pyla-Koutsopetria and the surrounding area. The 2008, 2009, and 2012 seasons focused on the site of Pyla-Vigla. The most recent field season is planned for summer 2015.

PKAP is committed to engaging undergraduate and graduate students in all aspects of the project's research program. PKAP's research goal is "to determine the relationship between this stretch of coastline [southern coast of Cyprus] and other coastal sites on the island, and the Eastern Mediterranean more generally" (Caraher et al 2015). Many resources are available through PKAP's website to learn more about the project.

PKAP sites

PKAP directs two ongoing archaeological projects at Pyla-Koutsopetria and Pyla-Vigla. The key project staff are as follows:

• Field director: Dr. Dimitri Nakassis, University of Toronto
• Co-directors: GIS - Dr. William Caraher, University of North Dakota :Late Roman Ceramics - Dr. R. Scott Moore, Indiana University of Pennsylvania :Survey/excavation - Dr. David Pettegrew, Messiah College
• Field director, Hellenistic Ceramics: Brandon R. Olson, Boston University

Plya-Koutsopetria

This archaeological site is located outside the modern city of Larnaka, Cyprus. The dates of occupation are from the Bronze Age to the Modern period. Now located on an eroding plateau, this area used to contain a coastline harbor that provided safety for coasting vessels, fields for farming, space for military and religious activities, commerce, travel, recreation, and settlements.

Methodology

Intensive pedestrian survey, geophysical prospecting, remote sensing, and excavation are all methods used to gain as much information as possible about the site. A distributional approach was implemented to produce a high-resolution assemblage that would represent the typological, chronological, and functional aspects of the material in each survey while excluding redundant data. A "Chronotype system" was used to further identify and categorize pottery that was found during surveys and excavations. This system requires that each surveyor collect all parts (base, handle, rim, and sherds) of each type of artifact within his or her assigned area.

Environmental factors also play an important part in understanding the region in context. Some of these factors include identifying low-lying coastal areas, the functionality of agriculture within the landscape, the interconnections between other settlements in the area, and studying the distribution of material artifacts across the landscape. To gain a complete understanding of the site, it is crucial to understand the historical and cultural context from which to study.

Discoveries and conclusions

Example of Terracota Lagynos (pitcher), Cyprus, 4th-3rd centuries BCE

Since 2004, large quantities of Archaic-Hellenistic pottery have been discovered. This constitutes one of the densest assemblages of pottery for the Hellenistic period. This assemblage contributes to conclusions concerning the increase in pottery usage at the site, identifying further types of pottery that help to define styles and functions, emphasis on exportation rather than importation of goods, and the general purpose for the settlement at Koutsopetria. Weapons of the Hellenistic era, an inscription, and several figurines were also found.

The collection of artifacts from Pyla-Koutsopetria are useful in studying settlement patterns and lifestyles on the island of Cyprus. This collection is also valuable for researchers examining change in Mediterranean coastal settlements during Antiquity. Assemblage of Hellenistic and Late Roman fine ware is particularly strong at Pyla-Koutsopetria. These highly recognizable artifacts are important in studying trade and distribution in the Eastern Mediterranean. Due to the extensive survey methods used at Pyla-Koutsopetria, this collection of artifacts also presents a data set for critiques of intensive pedestrian survey methods, GPS, and other survey practices in the Mediterranean.

Pyla-Vigla

Pyla-Vigla is located at a prominent height above the narrow coastal plain of Pyla-Koutsopetria. It is located on the eastern side of Larnaka Bay within the Dhekelia Sovereign Base. The initial exploration of Pyla-Vigla began in 2003 with systematic techniques such as pedestrian survey, geological survey, geophysical prospection, and small-scale excavations during the 2008, 2009 and 2012 field seasons.

Architecture and artifacts

The excavations at Pyla-Vigla exposed four phases of occupation and destruction.

• Phase 1 represents the initial occupation and settlement in the Hellenistic period through the assemblage of artifacts found such as coarse and utilitarian wares, storage vessels, kitchen wares, and various weapons and tools. Fire destroyed much of the occupation of Phase 1 and left evidence of burnt materials, ash, and charcoal.

• Phase 2 marks a new period of occupation at Pyla-Vigla. This period dates to the late Hellenestic-Early Roman period. This phase involves repairing existing buildings, leveling out earlier destruction debris, and new construction and improvement of walls. Architecture was modest and functional. The assemblage of artifacts is much the same as Phase 1 pointing to settlement and occupation. Some of the artifacts were sealed by burned materials and ash, representing a violent fire. Surviving artifacts were well preserved which indicates a quick abandonment and/or destruction of the site.

• Phase 3 is a much more limited reoccupation of site which occurs during the Early Roman period. Walls built during Phase 3 that cut through the floors of Phase 2 provide evidence for the reoccupation of Pyla-Vigla during the Early Roman period. No Late Roman or Medieval material was found at the site. This means the site was most likely abandoned after the Early Roman period. After Phase 3 a long period of abandonment occurred at the site which allowed sediment to compact and seal the earlier phases of occupation and destruction.

• Phase 4 represents the modern period of occupation. This phase includes an extensive plow zone that disturbs most of the units at Pyla-Vigla. Pits dug prior to excavations represent disturbance either by the former British occupation or from illegal looting activities.

The survey work at Pyla-Vigla has also documented the presence of substantial fortification dating to the Hellenistic period. The remains of these fortifications point to a military presence at the settlement during the Hellenistic period to the Early Roman period. The entire purpose of the site is not clear, but the architecture and the artifacts found suggest the site had a primarily militaristic function. Unfortunately, due to the complex history of the Hellenistic period in Cyprus, precise questions such as the purpose of this military unit and its role in the coastal region of Koutsopetria are still being investigated.

Conclusions

Understanding and identifying the four phases of occupation at Pyla-Vigla is important in providing a holistic view of the site's history. These phases also show that Pyla-Vigla was mainly occupied during the Hellenistic period but also provides evidence of a multiple use site in the repairs to fortification and buildings.

Map of Cyprus with Roman cities

While questions still remain in accordance to the fortified wall discovered at Pyla-Vigla, a few suggestions have been given as to the purpose and function of this wall. Important trade routes were located along this coastline which needed protection. Vigla could have been fortified to protect both the commodities and population located along the southeastern coastline of Cyprus. It is also suggested that the kings of Kition fortified Vigla in the late 4th century to protect the coastline against a Ptolemaic conquest. After the Ptolemic invasion of Cyprus, reorganization of the island's administration included the construction of fortifications to accommodate garrisons and mercenaries under Ptolemic control.

The archaeological evidence presented in the four phases of Pyla-Vigla and the remains of the fortifications around the site will greatly assist in providing important conclusions concerning Cypriot history in the Hellenistic era.

Archaeological Museum of the Larnaka District

Archaeological artifacts found by PKAP are housed in a local museum. The museum contains four galleries where the exhibitions follow a chronological history of the region. This organization provides the visitor with a more complete understanding of the historical development of the city of Kition and the District of Larnaka.

Future goal and projects of PKAP

PKAP will continue research at Pyla-Koutsopetria and Pyla-Vigla in order to continue learning about the cultural and historical values of the Larnaka region. Future goals and projects include publishing the results of excavations, refining the data for more detailed analysis that relates to chronology and function through geophysical survey and excavation, studying geomorphology and geology of the micro-region, continuing geophysical surveys to promote non-invasive research techniques and locate architecture below ground. Further excavations will be planned to expand the analysis of artifacts and subterranean features.

Significance of PKAP

Five interrelated scholarly discussions formed the foundation for PKAP's research program: "methodological intensification in landscape archaeology; town, territory, and state formation; regionalism and comparative analysis; religious landscapes; and connectivity and trade" (Caraher et al:2014) The basis for conducting research along the southern coastline of Cyprus is to answer questions concerning the relationship of the coastal cities on the island as well as the connections between Cyprus and the Mediterranean region.

The American Anthropological Association statement on Ethics assigns all anthropologists, including archaeologists, the responsibility to help to educate and preserve cultural resources. An important aspect of PKAP's research is to provide more precise knowledge of the Hellenistic time period in Cyprus. Due to the complex political and economic state of Cyprus during the Hellenistic time period, this historical era is not well understood. PKAP’s sites at Pyla-Koutsopetria and Pyla-Vigla are cultural resources that provide the opportunity to contribute valuable information which fills in the gaps of knowledge in Cypriot history.

Additional Sources

• ASOR publication on Pyla-Koutsopetria (I)
• Student perspective blog
• PKAP field blog
• PKAP website