The Pyla-Koutsopetria Archaeological Project
Dr. R. Scott Moore,
History Department, IUP
2004 PKAP Team Members
2005 PKAP Team Members
Sponsors
Pictured from left to right:
Sara Fortnam, Indiana University of Pennsylvania
David Pettegrew, Ohio State University
Kevin Eckerd, Indiana University of Pennsylvania
Scott Moore, Indiana University of Pennsylvania
Brian Willis, Indiana University of Pennsylvania
William Caraher, University of North Dakota
Mara Horowitz, Columbia University
Sara Fortnam, Indiana University of Pennsylvania
David Pettegrew, Ohio State University
Kevin Eckerd, Indiana University of Pennsylvania
Scott Moore, Indiana University of Pennsylvania
Brian Willis, Indiana University of Pennsylvania
William Caraher, University of North Dakota
Mara Horowitz, Columbia University
Staff
Director Dr. R. Scott Moore, Indiana University of Pennsylvania
Co-director Dr. William Caraher, University of North Dakota
Field Director David Pettegrew, Ohio State University
Education Director Dr. Michael Fronda, McGill University
Registrar Susan Phillips, Independent Scholar
Geomorphology Dr. Jay Noller, Oregon State University
GIS Dr. Richard Rothaus, St. Cloud State University
Lithics Dr. Nick Kardulias, University of Wooster
Wall Paintings Sarah Lipinsky, Bryn Mawr University
Prehistorian Dr. Maria Hadjicosti, Cypriot Department of Antiquities
Prehistoric Ceramics Mara Horowitz, Columbia University
Byzantine Ceramics Dr. Timothy E. Gregory, Ohio State University
Ethnography Lita Diacopoulos, La Trobe University, Australia
Web & Computers Dr. Sam Fee, Washington & Jefferson College
Videographer Joseph Patrow, University of North Dakota
Field Team
Luke Bechtel, Indiana University of Pennsylvania
Greg Fisher, McGill University
Jessica Freas, Indiana University of Pennsylvania
Erin Gill, Indiana University of Pennsylvania
Jordan Haines, Indiana University of Pennsylvania
Allison Hastings, Indiana University of Pennsylvania
Alesha Shumar, Indiana University of Pennsylvania
Director Dr. R. Scott Moore, Indiana University of Pennsylvania
Co-director Dr. William Caraher, University of North Dakota
Field Director David Pettegrew, Ohio State University
Education Director Dr. Michael Fronda, McGill University
Registrar Susan Phillips, Independent Scholar
Geomorphology Dr. Jay Noller, Oregon State University
GIS Dr. Richard Rothaus, St. Cloud State University
Lithics Dr. Nick Kardulias, University of Wooster
Wall Paintings Sarah Lipinsky, Bryn Mawr University
Prehistorian Dr. Maria Hadjicosti, Cypriot Department of Antiquities
Prehistoric Ceramics Mara Horowitz, Columbia University
Byzantine Ceramics Dr. Timothy E. Gregory, Ohio State University
Ethnography Lita Diacopoulos, La Trobe University, Australia
Web & Computers Dr. Sam Fee, Washington & Jefferson College
Videographer Joseph Patrow, University of North Dakota
Field Team
Luke Bechtel, Indiana University of Pennsylvania
Greg Fisher, McGill University
Jessica Freas, Indiana University of Pennsylvania
Erin Gill, Indiana University of Pennsylvania
Jordan Haines, Indiana University of Pennsylvania
Allison Hastings, Indiana University of Pennsylvania
Alesha Shumar, Indiana University of Pennsylvania
We have been fortunate in
receiving support from various sources and would like to thank those
who have helped to support the project.
Ohio State Excavations at Isthmia
2005
American Schools of
Oriental Research Harris Grant
Institute of Aegean
Prehistory Grant
IUP Senate Fellowship
Grant
Dr. Staszkiewicz,
Provost, IUP
College of Humanities
& Social Sciences Special Project Fund, IUP
Department of History,
IUP
Department of History,
University of North Dakota
2004
Dr. Staszkiewicz,
Provost, IUP
IUP Senate Fellowship
Grant
College of Humanities
& Social Sciences Special Project Fund, IUP
Department of History,
IUP
Fred & Nancy Caraher
Robert & Joyce Moore
2003
SSHE Faculty Professional
Development Council Grant
IUP Senate Fellowship
Grant
Department of History,
IUP
Logistical Support
Cyprus American
Archaeological Research Institute
Cyprus Department of
Antiquities
Department of
Anthropology, IUP
Department of History,
IUP
Larnaka
District Archaeological Museum Ohio State Excavations at Isthmia
The Pyla-Koutsopetria Archaeological Project (PKAP) is a diachronic,
intensive archaeological investigation of the area between the modern
village of Pyla and the sea coast of Larnaca Bay along the southern coastline of
the island of Cyprus. Our three principal goals of the project are:
(1) to define the extent and nature of a high density, Late Roman site;
(2) to identify and characterize other periods present in this site;
(3) to determine the relationship between this site and other coastal sites on Cyprus and sites in the Eastern Mediterranean generally.
(1) to define the extent and nature of a high density, Late Roman site;
(2) to identify and characterize other periods present in this site;
(3) to determine the relationship between this site and other coastal sites on Cyprus and sites in the Eastern Mediterranean generally.
During the course of a geomorphological survey of the local
coastline, Dr. Noller identified this
lowland as having the definitive characteristics of a prehistoric to historic
harbor. Preliminary geological examination of this area thus provides
significant justification for viewing this area as a potential ancient harbor
site, and only a measurement of the nature, depth and age of the sediments
is needed to confirm this hypothesis. During the 2005 season we plan to
take core samples from the potential ancient harbor in order to establish
better the geomorphological history of this site.
Our primary area of study for the 2003 and 2004 field seasons
was the coastal plain known variously as Koutsopetria or Paliokastro. This gently rolling stretch of
coastline runs along the base of the coastal height called Vigla and
the hill of Kokkinokremos with its important Late Bronze Age fortified
settlement. This area also includes an Early Christian basilica
previously excavated by Dr. Maria Hadjicosti.
During 2003 and 2004, we employed intensive archaeological
survey techniques to define the extent and nature of a high density,
Late Roman site which runs for some 1000 meters along the coast and
300-500 meters inland.
Pyla-Koutsopetria, Cyprus
Geomorphology
Survey Area
2004 Field Season
The objective for the
2004 field season was to investigate the extensive artifact
scatter on the coastal plain at Koutsopetria. In order to characterize artifactual distributions
across such broad space, we employed a sampling strategy consistent with
our goal to delineate the boundaries of the site and distribution of artifacts within
this area. A grid of 40 x 40 m.
squares was laid across the entire site, and artifacts were collected in a
representative manner in two phases of sampling, ChronoType collection and
total collection circles
Chronotype collection - fieldwalkers spaced at 10 meter intervals
walked transects, counting all artifacts one meter to the right and left of their
transect, thus recording a 20% sample of density for each grid square.
Total collection circles - For each of 10 units selected, a team of
4 fieldwalkers collected all visible artifacts from a circle with a radius of 5.1
meters thus providing a 5% sample of the total area of each unit
2005 Field Season
Early
Christian Basilica Complex
Late Roman olive press weight
As more artifacts are recovered and analyzed by the field
teams, they continue to demonstrate the wealth and importance of this Late
Roman basilica and its surrounding complex. Elaborate wall
paintings, gypsum veneer, marble revetment, opus sectile, molded
decoration, imported finewares and even an olive press emphasize both the
wealth of the area, as well as its role in the local coastal trade.
African
Red Slip ware stamped with a cross
There are six goals for the 2005 field season.
1) Process the more than 17,000 sherds collected in 2004 and prepare them for publication
2) Analyze the gypsum and wall paintings from the basilica
3) Collect cores from harbor for C-14 dating and diatom analysis
4) Map the architectural features using differential GPS and total data station
5) Prepare for expanding the survey area in 2006 by conducting preliminary reconnaissance to the north of Vigla
6) Prepare for an underwater survey of the coast in 2006 in conjunction with team of divers from Texas A&M and ECU
1) Process the more than 17,000 sherds collected in 2004 and prepare them for publication
2) Analyze the gypsum and wall paintings from the basilica
3) Collect cores from harbor for C-14 dating and diatom analysis
4) Map the architectural features using differential GPS and total data station
5) Prepare for expanding the survey area in 2006 by conducting preliminary reconnaissance to the north of Vigla
6) Prepare for an underwater survey of the coast in 2006 in conjunction with team of divers from Texas A&M and ECU
Late Roman agricultural check dam
Wall painting, perhaps Tree of Life
Preliminary underwater survey
Venetian watchtower
