“Athienou Archaeological Project, 2004: the fifteenth season of investigations at Athienou-Malloura, Cyprus,” Abstracts (AIA) 106^th Annual Meeting 28 (2005): 156.

[Below is the intended text which failed to be published in Abstracts 2005.]

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 fifteenth season of investigations at Athienou-Malloura between June 5th and July 25th. Our work involved over 40 individuals representing 17 U.S. and foreign institutions.

The Archaic-Roman rural sanctuary, under investigation since 1991, was the main focus of our investigations. Excavation continued in EUs 28, and 30 (opened in 2001) as well as in EUs 32, and 34 (opened in 2002). In addition a new area (EU 36) was opened due north of EU 32 in the NW part of the sanctuary. EUs 28 and 32 were joined and further portions of a wall constructed mostly of ashlar blocks were cleared. However, the wall’s purpose - part of a rectangular structure, or entrance - has yet to be clarified. EU 36) proved to be heavily disturbed by looting but the top portions of two ashlar blocks seemingly in situ follow the same alignment as the aforementioned wall to the south. EU 30 produced several important artifacts but no architecture. Excavation in the heavily pitted EU 34 laid bare an additional segment of the sanctuary’s eastern peribolos.

The range of finds comprises fragmentary limestone statuary (including two fine Pan heads) and utensils (circular disks, and ash shovels), terracotta figurines (including an Astarte/Aphrodite torso and a warrior with shield on his back), ceramic vessels and lamps, a bronze coin, and animal bones – over 400 inventoried artifacts were delivered to the Larnaka Museum. Other noteworthy or unusual finds include: a limestone capital, a fragmentary limestone relief with a bearded figure (Archaic), a large limestone bird wing (eagle ?), and a fragmentary ash shovel preserving four signs in Cypriote syllabary.

Significant progress towards final publication was made through analysis of osteological material from EU 6 (N. Harper), and of ceramic data from both the sanctuary (S. Fourrier & M. Spigelman) as well as the Hellenistic-Roman tombs at the northern periphery of the site (S. Marquie). Moreover, phosphate analysis of soil samples from the sanctuary continued (R. Beeston), and balloon photography of the sanctuary was conducted.