Athienou Archaeological Project: Investigations in the Malloura Valley, Cyprus, 1990-1995

• Published in: Journal of field archaeology 1998, Vol.25 (2), p.163-182
• Main Authors: Toumazou, Michael K., Yerkes, Richard W., Kardulias, P. Nick
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Archaeological excavation; Archaeological surveys; Barley; Chalk; Excavation and methods; Excavations; Field archaeology; Field method; Field Reports: Excavation and Survey; Limestones; Material culture; Methodology and general studies; Prehistory and protohistory; Sloping terrain; Tombs; Topography, excavation and recording
• ISSN: 0093-4690; 2042-4582
• DOI: 10.1179/009346998792005450

The Athienou Archaeological Project (AAP) is a multidisciplinary investigation of the site of Athienou Malloura and the surrounding valley in central Cyprus. Since 1990, field survey, geophysical prospecting, and stratigraphic excavations at Athienou Malloura relocated the Cypro-Archaic-Roman sanctuary that was originally discovered in 1862 and exposed portions of the large, nucleated settlement that was founded in the early Roman period. Occupation of this town continued through early Byzantine times, but Malloura was abandoned during the period of Arab-Byzantine conflict in the 7th century A.C. The settlement was re-established during the era of Frankish rule, and finally abandoned late in the 19th century. An archaeological survey of 20 sq km around Athienou Malloura identified 30 sites, including prehistoric lithic workshops, tomb groups dating from the Cypro-Archaic through Roman periods, small Classical-Hellenistic habitation sites, and small hilltop sites utilized from late Roman through Ottoman times. Several small outlying sites related to the settlement at Malloura were also recorded.