The Athienou Archaeological Project, sponsored by Davidson College, conducted its fifth season of investigations at the site of Athienou-Malloura and the surrounding valley between 7 June and 23 July 1994 . The Archaic-Roman rural sanctuary was the main focus of this year's investigations. Our objectives were the horizontal expansion and excavation into deeper levels in order to ascertain the sanctuary's limits and earlier history. A new area (EU 12) and three long exploratory trenches (EUs 90, 92, and 94) were dug to the north and west. Moreover, geophysical prospection (electrical resistivity and magnetometry) as well as balloon photography were undertaken in the area.

Despite heavy pitting, the south and east temenos walls, both measuring now ca. 19 m, continue into the balks indicating that the sanctuary, at least in its final phase, was larger than previously suspected. Beneath the Hellenistic-Roman "floor" enclosed by the temenos walls were found three walls associated with Cypro-Archaic II and Classical pottery, and terracotta figurines (e.g., helmeted warriors, chariots, horses, centaurs). A segment of a circular feature associated with intense burning may prove to be part of the sanctuary's altar.

As in past years the majority of the finds comprised fragmentary limestone statuary ranging in size from a few centimeters to life-size. Most impressive is an Archaic/sub- Archaic life-size statue of a votary with intricately carved drapery. Another finely proportioned torso is draped with sensitively -almost sensually- carved chiton; though clearly male, its generously proportioned upper torso suggestively recalls a Hellenistic Hermaphroditic figure. Aside from three Pan statuettes (also Hellenistic), the only other clearly discernible divinity was that of Baal-Hammon represented by two small reliefs of standard iconography, and associated with the earlier (Archaic II/ Classical) phase(s) of the sanctuary.

A fourth rock-cut tomb (T.28) of Hellenistic-Roman date was cleared in the cemetery north of the sanctuary. In most respects it resembles tombs 25 and 26 (cleared between 1991 and 1993), comprising a broad stepped dromos with a spacious forecourt and a burial chamber with three benches. Though looted, the tomb yielded large amounts of disarticulated bones and pottery, some 20 coins, and a variety of other furnishings.

The field survey in the Malloura valley has thus far recorded 30 sites in the 20 km2 survey area. Site and artifact distribution data are being entered in a GIS data base, and a geomorphological survey of the valley is planned for the spring of 1995.