“Athienou Archaeological Project, 2002: the thirteenth season of investigations at Athienou-Malloura, Cyprus.” Abstracts (AIA) 104^th Annual Meeting 26 (2003): 41.

By

Michael K. Toumazou (Davidson College)

P. Nick Kardulias (College of Wooster )

Derek B. Counts (University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee)

The Athienou Archaeological Project, sponsored by Davidson College and financed through an NSF-REU grant, conducted its thirteenth season of investigations at Athienou-Malloura between June 1st and July 20th. Our work involved 30 individuals representing 15 U.S. institutions.

The Archaic-Roman rural sanctuary, under investigation since 1991, continued to be the main focus of the investigations. In addition to two new areas (EUs 32 and 34), excavation continued EUs 28, and 30 opened in 2001. Despite serious disturbances by looters, EU 28 produced a significant number of artifacts, a segment of a new wall running SE-NW, and an additional in situ ashlar block; several such blocks were discovered last year and may be part of a platform or, possibly, entrance into he sanctuary from the West. Just to the North, EU 32 proved to be heavily disturbed by an enormous pit. However, in its undisturbed western part a post-block was discovered in stratified deposits similar to ones discovered in EU 30; clearly the two areas will need to be joined. As anticipated, EU 30 produced several important artifacts and many animal bones in situ but no architecture. Progress in the excavation of EU 34, which straddles the eastern peribolos wall, was hindered by extensive looting and will need to be investigated further in order to determine the existence of a possible entrance into the sanctuary from the East.

The range of finds comprises fragmentary limestone statuary, terracotta figurines, ceramic vessels and lamps, utensils (vessel lids and ash shovels), and animal bones – ca 220 inventoried artifacts were delivered to the Larnaka Museum. A large number of animal bones, including incised sheep/goat scapulae and ox horns, testify to ritual activity. Some of the most noteworthy finds were: a fragmentary Herakles statue; four wreathed male heads (spanning the 5^th century); a beautiful female head with earrings - almost certainly Artemis, judging by a similar statue from the sanctuary now in the Louvre; and a unique limestone wall bracket with three relief representations of Bes who is attested for first time at Athienou-Malloura.