Marion: Department of Antiquities rescue work, 2001–2005

Directed by

• Eustathios Raptou2004

• Department of Antiquities of CyprusSponsor
• Local Museum of Marion and ArsinoeHost

1. 2001

   A total of fifteen tombs excavated in the Polis Chrysochous region at the localities Evretades, Koilada and Orta Koilades; most were intact, dating from the end of the Geometric period to the Roman period.

   [1]

2. 2003

   A small Classical chamber tomb (T. 1) yielded a Bichrome Red II(V) amphorisque (T. 1/1; height 15.5 cm), two Plain White VII jugs (T. 1/17, height 30 cm, bull's head in relief; T. 1/16, height 39.5 cm, female figurine holding a jug) (MMA 581).

   [2]

3. 2004

   Cypro-Classical tombs, partly destroyed, contained a black-glazed bowl with stamped decoration and a Cypro-Syllabic graffito under the base (MMA 599/7; height 6 cm, diameter 13.8 cm) and a Black Slip jug with a spout at the shoulder and a kore holding a jug in relief (MMA 559/21; height 24.2 cm). Seven further Geometric and Archaic tombs, found while digging the foundations of the new wing of the Technical School and previously disturbed; very fragmentary vases including a Black-on-Red II(IV) amphora, a Black Slip Bichrome geometric amphora and a terracotta amulet. New campaign by Princeton University in three sectors: a Classical–early Roman building (sondage below Roman floors; ashlar walls possibly Classical, 4th c. BC); an early-Roman-era insula with crossroads and quadruple gateway near the basilica, four further wells (one dated c. AD 1200 destruction); a Hellenistic floor with stratified pottery (200–100 ... Seven tombs, partly destroyed by past works, very fragmentary material including Marion-type oenochoai (one almost complete), small Attic vases, and a cup with Cypriot syllabic inscription. Cypro-Geometric and Cypro-Archaic tombs yielded, among others, a large Black on Red II(IV) amphora (MMA 604/16; height 43 cm), a Black Slip Bichrome I amphora of Cypro-Geometric date (MMA 607/1; height 32 cm) and an unglazed clay amulet of a very rare type (MMA 604/18; height 7.3 cm).

   Directed by Eust. Raptou[2]

4. 2005

   Hellenistic and Roman architectural remains excavated; relief lamp with two embracing figures (Eros and Psyche?) and bull's head above the nozzle (MMA 628/1). 7 tombs excavated during enlargement of the technical school in an area where archaic tombs had been located earlier; tomb MMA 611 yielded a gold ring with carnelian bust intaglio and an Augustan bronze coin.

   [3]