Excavation Reports 1949–1951

2

The Southeast Building antedates the South Building which was completed on 101. There is some evidence that the building stood before the earthquake of 76/77, was damaged by the earthquake and rebuilt with some minor codifications in the general plan. Both the temples and the Southeast Building were destroyed by the earthquakes of the 4th century A.D. when the site was abandoned. Among the finds worthy of particular mention are four pieces of sculpture in white marble of good workmanship:

1. A male head, somewhat larger that life size, fragmentary, probably from an important cult statue of Apollo. 2. A female head, approaching life-size, in good condition, and of fine workmanship, possibly a representation of Aphrodite. 3. A female head, in good condition, possibly a portrait of an important Roman lady of the Middle Empire. 4. A fine head of a youth, somewhat fragmentary but full of life and expression.

Other finds include a fine bronze medallion with the jugate heads of Antoninus Pius and Marcus Aurelius on the obverse; many coins, lamps, and a great quantity of pottery, much of which is well stratified. Mr. Joseph Last of the expedition staff has been investigating the water supply at Kourion, with interesting results. A pipe line has been traced from the village of Sotira to a point south-east of the stadium. A branch line supplied the Sanctuary of Apollo. This dates probably to the late 1st or early 2nd century A.D. The main line passes under the stadium. After the construction of the building, probably under the Antonines, it was diverted to the south to join the earlier pipe line to the south-east of the stadium. An aqueduct would appear to have carried the water across the low saddle of land between the site of the stadium and the city situated on the bluff of Kourion overlooking the sea still further to the south-east. If this supposition is correct it is hoped that further excavations may disclose the foundations of this aqueduct near the modern road immediately to the west of the ancient city.