Amathus: Department excavations of the Early Christian basilica and the church of Ayios Tychonas (Procopiou)

Directed by

• Eleni Procopiou1991–1997

• Department of Antiquities of CyprusSponsor

1. 1991November 1991 and November 1992

   Two campaigns uncovered most of the medieval church dedicated to St Tychonas: a single-nave building (25 x 8.50 m), entrance in the centre of the south wall, a second door in the north wall, auxiliary rooms, vaulted roof carried on pilasters. The north wall stands to full height. Earlier phases: a polygonal apse base dated by 5th-6th c. coins; burials in two main phases beneath the floor. Burials under the medieval church floors in two main phases; open-air ossuary and arcosolia of early Byzantine date in the south-west; three semicircular ...

   Directed by Eléni Prokopiou[1]

2. 1993

   First campaign in the largest early Christian building known at Amathous. Central and north apses excavated, with part of the naves where an opus sectile survived; auxiliary rooms along the north nave probably served as catechumena. Soundings revealed two further buildings and a section of the city rampart; one has two apses and opus sectile floors. The complex was destroyed and abandoned after a catastrophic fire of the 7th century AD (Arab raids). Some architectural fragments are in Proconnesian marble.

   Directed by Éléni Prokopiou[2]

3. 1994

   Medieval phase of the church (from the 14th century) fully exposed; seven earlier phases below the floors indicate continuous cult from the early Christian period. Tomb under central apse (5th century, vaulted, marble-lined, empty); coins, mosaic fragments and architectural fragments. Excavation of the preserved part of the nave, the north aisle, about 80% of the catechumeneion and part of the narthex. Aisles and narthex paved in opus sectile; gypsum paving in the catechumeneion; seven Constantinople marble columns separate the aisles. Finds include parapet slabs, column fragments, an altar, window glass, bronze nails, marble clamps and bronze coins. A coin of the first half of the 5th century under the bema floor gives a terminus post quem; the fire destruction is dated by coins of Constance II (655–656) above the floor. ...

   Directed by Eléni Prokopiou[3]

4. 1995during the second and third campaigns (years not stated; campaigns 2 and 3)

   Central and north naves, narthex, catechoumena, remains of atrium, east portico and part of north portico of the peristyle uncovered; soundings in the presbyterion. Construction after c. 450 AD (coins under floors). Great fire destruction dated by coins of Constans II to c. 654–655. Reoccupation under Constantine IV (c. 670): presbyterion remains moved to catechoumena, north passages blocked, temporary presbyterion built, narthex used as vegetable store. Finds: imported marble architectural fragments and orthostates, glass, window glass, wall and floor mosaic fragments, coins, a bronze buckle from a 'barbarian'-type leather belt.

   [4]

5. 1997

   Four rooms along the N portico: re-use of the basilica after the Arab invasions of AD 653–654 for shelters and workshops, with a millstone and bread trough. Excavation of the north annexes and of four rooms along the north portico of the peristyle. Reoccupation at the end of the 7th century AD after the 653–654 destruction; a mill and kneading trough in room DC; a small marble reliquary lid, marble veneers, coins and an imported Balkan lamp.

   Directed by Eléni Prokopiou[5], [6]