3
SVENSKA INSTITUTEN I ATHEN OCH ROM
INSTITUTUM ATHENIENSE ATQUE INSTITUTUM ROMANUM REGNI SUECIAE
Opuscula
Annual of the Swedish Institutes at Athens and Rome
5
2012
STOCKHOLM
THE NEW SWEDISH CYPRUS EXPEDITION 2011 • PETER M. FISCHER • 89
PETER M. FISCHER
The New Swedish Cyprus Expedition 2011
Excavations at Hala Sultan Tekke
Preliminary results. With appendices by T. Bürge, L. Franz and R. Feldbacher
Abstract*
he main objective of the excavations of the Late Cypriote city of Hala
Sultan Tekke is the investigation and determination of the complete
occupational sequence of the pre-12th century levels. he groundpenetrating radar survey (GPR) led to the discovery and excavation of
numerous rooms of a large Late Cypriote complex. During the second
year of excavations at the site the expedition exposed a third phase of
occupation (Stratum 3).1 A Stratum 2 compound, with extraordinarily
wide walls was uncovered in the eastern part of the excavations. Intact
vessels include Base-ring I and II, and White Painted VI, and Late Hel-
ladic imports.2 Other wares include: White Painted Pendant/Cross
Line Style, Red-on-Black/Red, Bichrome Wheel-made, White Slip I
and II, Monochrome, Base-ring I and II, Red Lustrous Wheel-made,
White Painted/Plain-White Wheel-made, and White Shaved. Unique
discoveries amongst the small inds are a haematite cylinder seal and a
stone pendant igurine. he numerous tools related to textile production
point to the manufacture of fabric on a larger scale.
Introduction
*
Acknowledgements
We would like to express our gratitude for the kind and proicient support of the Department of Antiquities of Cyprus (DAC) and its personnel, headed by Dr M. Hadjicosti. Much appreciated assistance was also
given by the personnel of the Larnaca Archaeological Museum, archaeological oicer Dr G. Georgiou from the DAC in Nicosia, Mr P. Georgiou, former employee of the DAC, and his family, H.E. Ambassador
I. Lindahl of Sweden and F. Olson, the irst secretary of the Swedish
Embassy in Nicosia. Essential funding was gratefully received from the
Swedish Söderberg Foundations very kindly supported by Dr T. Söderberg, Gothenburg. We are also much obliged to INSTAP for their indispensable and generous support. Additional help was provided by the
family of my late friend and colleague Prof. em. P. Åström. he board
of the association of the Friends of the Swedish Cyprus Expedition lent
their support. he Police Aviation Unit, kindly supported by Mr Andreas Ioannou, supported our mission by providing a series of excellent
aerial photographs for which we are most grateful. Last but not least,
I would like to convey my sincere thanks to my team. he basic team
consisted of eighteen archaeologists and students, most of them from
Sweden, others from Austria, Denmark, Jordan, Norway and Switzerland. Amongst the team members are T. Bürge, MA, and R. Feldbacher,
MA, who both acted as assistant ield directors. Others were H. Ta’ani,
technical archaeologist, M. Bataineh, architect, surveyor and draughtsperson, and P. Georgiou, responsible for the logistics. he participating students include D. Blattner, W. Försth, L. Franz, A. Gustafsson, H.
Indgjerd, F. Kärfve, S. Lyttkens, N. Monschein, M. Pehrson, N. Werther
and F. Åfeldt. A. Fischer participated part-time.
1
“Stratum” should be considered only as a term of convenience for
use during ieldwork and in the preliminary reports. It is used to designate a level of occupation regardless of the area of excavation and numbered from below colluvial soil as it is excavated. In the inal report the
designation “Phase” will be used with “Phase 1” as the most ancient.
Excavations directed by the author were carried out in the extended Area 6 of Hala Sultan Tekke from 26th April–27th
May 2011 (Fig. 1a).3
In 2010, a large Late Cypriote complex was discovered
during a pre-excavation ground-penetrating radar survey
(GPR).4 he compound is situated in the southern part
of Area 6, where no substantial structures were found during test soundings in the 1970s. he GPR survey suggested
a compound a minimum of 25 m in length, of which only
minor parts in the south-easternmost part of Area 6 were
partly exposed during the 2010 season. Since major parts of
the compound are situated outside the present fence, to the
west and south, permission to double the size of the present,
fenced Area 6 was sought from and kindly granted by the Department of Antiquities of Cyprus.
Two phases of occupation could be ascertained in 2010,
of which most of Stratum 1 (the most recent) was exposed
(Trenches 1A–D, 2 and 3A; Fig. 1b). he compound is bordered to the north by a more substantial wall against which
2
No division here between the phases of occupation.
he trenches from 2011 are: T3B; 4A, B; 5A, B; 6A; and 7A. Additional excavations were carried out in the trenches from 2010: T1A–D;
and 3A.
4
Fischer 2011a.
3
90 • PETER M. FISCHER • THE NEW SWEDISH CYPRUS EXPEDITION 2011
Fig. 1a. Overview of previous excavations, i.e. before 2010 (original drawing by E. Markou, modiied by P.M. Fischer).
a number of rooms/spaces were built; nine of these were exposed in 2010. he suggested functions of the exposed structures are those of living, working, storage and administration
spaces. Finds included numerous loom weights and spindlewhorls, which point to the production of textiles, and copper
slag and lead which point to the production of metal objects.
Other inds included jewellery, tools and weapons of bronze,
amongst which are a weight in the shape of a bull’s head, spearheads and arrow-heads, inger-rings, bracelets, toggle pins
and ish-hooks. Numerous, locally produced vessels of high
quality as well as imports mainly from the Mycenaean sphere
of culture should be mentioned. It has been suggested that
Stratum 1 was probably destroyed during a military assault,
but substantial ash layers are absent. he complete “Creature
Krater”, which is locally produced White Painted Wheelmade ware, belongs to Stratum 2 of which only minor parts
were exposed in 2010.5 he painted decoration consisting of
cattle, birds, ish, a dog, and various symbols is of a high artistic standard. It could be generally observed that more than
a few sherds were older than the date of the actual excavated
occupational phases, viz. the end of the Late Cypriote period.
here are six radiocarbon dates from Stratum 1 (3 samples)
and Stratum 2 (3 samples), which do not show any unambiguous chronological diferences between the strata (see Table
5
Fischer 2011a, 82, ig. 15.
THE NEW SWEDISH CYPRUS EXPEDITION 2011 • PETER M. FISCHER • 91
Fig. 1b. Contour map with overview of the opened area in 2010 and 2011 (drawing by M. Bataineh).
1 in “Preliminary conclusions”).6 he obviously residual (earlier) sherds include those of White Painted Cross Line Style,
White Painted Pendant Line Style, White Slip I (bichrome
and monochrome),7 White Painted VI, Red-on-Red/Black,
Bichrome Wheel-made ware, and others. he older ceramic
material points to the presence of an older settlement. his
settlement was situated in or around Area 6.
6
Fischer 2011a, 84, Table 1; observe that the heading in this table
mentions only Stratum 1.
7
For selected White Slip I bowls see Fig. 8:1–2 (White Slip I monochrome and bichrome decorated).
92 • PETER M. FISCHER • THE NEW SWEDISH CYPRUS EXPEDITION 2011
Fig. 2. Stratum 1 overview, with the position of walls, loci and inds included (drawing by M. Bataineh).
THE NEW SWEDISH CYPRUS EXPEDITION 2011 • PETER M. FISCHER • 93
Excavations 2011
STRATUM 1 (FIG. 2)
All architectural remains are orientated roughly north–
south/east–west, with a slight deviation of the longitudinal
axis towards the west. In addition to the nine walled spaces
(R1–9) which were exposed in 2010, another four spaces
were uncovered in Stratum 1 (R10–13).8 he description of
the walled spaces is done clockwise, starting in the north-west
with the rooms from 2010, in which the excavations were
continued. he description of the spaces which were excavated in 2011 follows ater the overview of the spaces from 2010.
he architectural remains are enclosed to the north by a
wall with a stone foundation, running east–west (W1 from
2010). W1, which is at least 25 m long running from the
western fence towards the east as indicated by GPR, was completely exposed at a length of 14.2 m. It is roughly 0.7 m wide
and preserved to a height of approximately 0.7 m.
he western limit of W1 was completely exposed. Here
the wall meets W18, forming the north-western corner of
R1. W18 runs perpendicularly to W1 for some 10 m, from
north to south. W18 forms the western limit of the compound, along which a partly exposed road runs from north
to south. Two ovens (L131, 133) and a hearth (L115) were
found along W18. Other inds from the road area include a
loom weight of ired clay (N42) which was found inside one
of the ovens (L133), another loom weight of stone (N53)
and a bronze ring (N64). he road area also contained many
sherds of locally produced and imported, mainly Mycenaean,
vessels.
Finds from the further exposed R1, which is 3 m × 3 m in
size9 and has a working bench of stone in the south-western
corner, include a Plain White Wheel-made carinated bowl
(N81; Fig. 3:10), a Coarse ware cooking pot (N80; Fig. 5:2),
a Mycenaean-type stirrup jar (N59; Fig. 3:1), two biconical
spindle-whorls of black stone (N18, 56), a loom weight of
limestone (N3), a weight of a so far unknown paste/mineral
(N67), two faience beads (N63), a lead sling bullet (N55), a
spear-head (N4) and a bronze ring (N17). his roofed space
(R1) was obviously used as a room for living and working.
To the north of R1 is a kind of annex (R13, W24). It is an
open space with two ireplaces which could be accessed via
the road.
he next room, R2, which is roughly 6 m × 3 m in size
and which was approached through an entrance in W8, via
stone steps, was further excavated until the loor of Stratum 1
8
he key to all abbreviations is in the report from 2010. R stands
from Room, L for Locus (feature), W for Wall and N is a ind of Class 1,
viz. a “museum ind”.
9
All measurements of spaces are internal measurements.
was completely exposed (cf. the previous report). his roofed
space (R2) was used for various activities, one of which may
have been the production/decoration of pottery.
here is no direct access from R2 to R3, the next room to
the east. he latter, measuring roughly 6 m × 3 m, could be entered via R4 and R5. In the north-eastern corner of R3 there
is a stone-lined circular structure which was originally built in
Stratum 2 (see below, where its use as a bath is suggested). he
structure was approached from the east, through an opening
in W19, via two steps and protected by upright ashlar blocks.
In Stratum 1 this structure had a diferent purpose, namely
as a rubbish container: the upper part was illed with several
kilograms of animal bones and other waste. Other inds from
R3 included a fairly complete chalice of Plain White Wheelmade ware (N26),10 a Canaanite jar (N19), a loom weight of
ired clay (N37) and a Plain White Wheel-made jar (L123-2;
Fig. 5:5). he northern limits of W1 were partly exposed. A
sherd of a Phoenician (?) bichrome decorated pilgrim lask
derives from the ill of a locus just below colluvial soil (L203)
north of W1, i.e. outside the Stratum 1 compound; it may be
intrusive. R3 also contained pieces of copper slag. his space
may have been a roofed (?) courtyard and could have been
used as a workshop.
he next room, R4, could be reached from R3 via a 0.7
m wide opening in W11. his room is 4 m × 3 m in size and
has another entrance from R5 through W10. he function
of W20 is not entirely clear, but it seems to separate R4 into
a smaller space to the north and a larger space to the south.
here were only a few inds from this occupational phase in
this room, two of which are a wall bracket of ired clay (N16)
and a loom weight (N36), both found at the entrance between R4 and R5, and another partly preserved cooking pot
with one handle. he inds and the architecture do not provide any clues as to the precise function of this space. R4 is
separated from R12 by W28, which is partly excavated. A circular stone setting attached to W28, most likely a hearth, as
well as a cooking pot (L198-1; Fig. 5:3) should be mentioned.
he excavations of R5 and R8 continued.11 A crucible of
limestone was found in R5 (N35). Other inds from R5 are
an almost complete Plain White Wheel-made jug (N75),
and the rim and neck of an Egyptian-imported faience vase
(L199-3; Fig. 3:14) were found. It may be that the space,
which is at least 8 m long (the width is between 2 m and 3
m), and which was partly stone-paved in the northern part,
was an open or only partly roofed courtyard where food was
10
Finds with numbers below N35 derive from the excavations in 2010
(see previous report in Fischer 2011a). Consequently N35–81 belong to
the excavations in 2011.
11
R6 is the only space exposed in 2010 in which no excavations were
carried out this year.
94 • PETER M. FISCHER • THE NEW SWEDISH CYPRUS EXPEDITION 2011
Fig. 3. Mycenaean-type, Plain White and White Painted Wheel-made pottery: no. 14, Egyptian-imported faience vase (drawing by M.
Bataineh and T. Bürge).
THE NEW SWEDISH CYPRUS EXPEDITION 2011 • PETER M. FISCHER • 95
Fig. 4a. Cylinder seal (N41; photograph by P.M. Fischer).
processed (see the inds of olive stones). he southern limit of
R8 was exposed (W23). R8 is irregular in shape, with an area
of approximately 4 m × 3–4 m. Finds from this space include
a diorite spindle-whorl (N10) and two loom weights of ired
clay (N15, 31). here is an oven in the north-western corner
of R8. he processing of food was certainly amongst the activities which took place in this room.
he small space R9 represents the corner room of the
compound to the south-west. It is 2.4 m × 1.6 m in size. here
is a stone table in the western part which is made of a large
ashlar block. It is not entirely clear where the entrance to this
room was. here seems to be an open space south of R8 and
R9 where a mortar, a loom weight (N61) and a pestle (N49)
were found.
R7 was completely exposed and is 3.2 m × 2.5 m in size.
In the north-eastern corner there is a 1 m × 1.5 m stone structure which is partly built of reused ashlar blocks. he structure is tightly paved with lat stones and clay sealing between
the stones identiied as a grain silo. A loom weight of ired
clay (N1) and a bronze ring with a lattened upper part (N24)
come from the area close to the silo. In the western part of
R7, there is a pit 0.6 m deep and 1.3 m in diameter, where no
signiicant inds were discovered.
A new, massive structure was exposed in the eastern part
of the uncovered area (R10 and 11), i.e. east of and attached
to the compound described above, and measuring at least
14.2 m × 12 m. W19, 26 and 33 belong to it. W26, which
was exposed some 4 m to the east, is the continuation of W1.
W26 is completely diferent in terms of construction and
dimensions from W1: it is approximately twice as wide as
W1, viz. 1.4 m, and mainly built of stones of conglomerate
instead of the commonly used limestone. W26 is connected
to W19 at a right angle. W19 has a similar structure as W26:
it is built of fairly large stones of conglomerate and is between
1.0 and 1.2 m wide. It seems that these two walls form the
western limit of quite a large compound, which was built together with the compound exposed in 2010. W33 divides the
Fig. 4b. Cylinder seal (N41; drawing by L. Franz) and seal impression.
96 • PETER M. FISCHER • THE NEW SWEDISH CYPRUS EXPEDITION 2011
Fig. 5. Plain White Wheel-made vessels, cooking pots and lamp (drawing by M. Bataineh).
THE NEW SWEDISH CYPRUS EXPEDITION 2011 • PETER M. FISCHER • 97
Fig. 6. Mycenaean vessels and Base-ring I juglet rom
Stratum 2; Base-ring II bowls rom Stratum 1
(drawing by M. Bataineh and T. Bürge, photograph
by P.M. Fischer and H. Indgjerd).
98 • PETER M. FISCHER • THE NEW SWEDISH CYPRUS EXPEDITION 2011
western part of this new compound into two walled spaces:
R10 and 11. Only the length of the northern space, R10, is
identiiable: approximately 6 m. It also became clear, during
the progress of the excavations, that W19, 26 and 33 were
all reused in Stratum 1 or at least used as a foundation, but
originally built in Stratum 2 (or even earlier12). Finds from
the northern part of this new structure, R10, include a Plain
White Wheel-made jar (N45; Fig. 5:6) and a bent toggle (?)
pin of lead (N52). A pit, which is roughly 1 m wide, yielded
a loom weight of ired clay (N65) and an almost complete
deep bowl of Plain White Wheel-made ware (N71A; Fig.
5:1), which was found together with a stone pestle (N71B).
he southern space (R11), separated from the northern by
W33, is only partly excavated. In this room there were, inter alia, seven bowls of Base-ring II ware (see Fig. 6:4–9; see
Appendix 1),13 three of which were intact (N38, 39, 40), a
jar of Plain White Wheel-made (L107-1) and three bowls of
White painted Wheel-made (L107-2, 3, 4; Fig. 3:9, 3:11, 3:
12). A biconical bead or weight of lead (N43) was also found.
An important ind from R11 consists of a cylinder seal
made of haematite with six panels, which was probably moderately recarved (N41, Fig. 4a–b; see Appendix 2). he obvious remains of red colour in the carvings can be explained as
residue from the recarving, or by the fact that the seal was
used to stamp coloured motifs, for instance, on fabric. he
seal is most likely a Cypriote product.
he dimensions of the walls of this new structure may
suggest that it represents an oicial building which was attached to a compound of domestic and workspace character.
In the previous report the hypothesis was put forward that
Stratum 1 may have been destroyed during a military assault
judging from the state of the architectural remains and from
the position of the sling bullets (see Appendix 3 in the previous report).
STRATUM 2 (FIG. 7)
his stratum is so far only partly visible in the south-western,
central and eastern parts of the exposed area.
he massive walls W19 and 26, and W33 were obviously
built during this phase. he northern walled space, R14, did
not reveal any inds of interest as yet, whereas the southern
room, R15, produced a number of signiicant inds: two intact juglets of Mycenaean ware (N46, 48; Fig. 6:1, 6:2) and an
almost complete Base-ring I juglet (N50; Fig. 6:3; for these
three vessels from Stratum 2 see Appendix 1), a biconical
spindle-whorl of ired clay (N47) and a diorite pestle (N44).
12
Stratum 2 is not completely exposed.
he two Base-ring II bowls N40 and L107-9 are almost identical
and shown in the same drawing, viz. Fig. 6:4.
13
R16 is surrounded by W19, 22, 21, 16 and 15.14 he circular water container in the north-eastern corner of R16 was
originally built in this stratum. It is a stone-lined circular
structure with an inner diameter of 0.8 m. It is approximately
1.4 m deep and lined all the way down to the bottom (= virgin soil) with tightly itting stones. Clay has been smeared
between the stones, obviously in order to keep water inside.
he total volume of this water container is approximately
0.7 m3. Access to the structure was from the east, through
an opening in W19, via two steps and protected by upright
ashlar blocks. Dislocated blocks of hewn limestone, viz. water channels, were found close to the structure. A bone comb
(N73) was found on the northern edge of the circular structure. he structure may represent a bath. R16 also contained
a pit, approximately 1.6 m in diameter. A ind predating the
current phase of occupation is an intact spouted juglet of
White Painted VI ware with geometric decoration (N74; Fig.
8:7) which was found along the south-eastern wall of the pit.
Other inds from the central part of this room consisted of a
loom weight of ired clay (N60) and a toggle pin of bronze
(N79). here seems to be a niche in the south-western corner
of the room which contained a juglet of White Shaved ware
(N58; Fig. 8:8) and a sling bullet of clay (N57).
R17, which is surrounded by W15, 16, 21, 22 and 19, contains a circular working space, approximately 0.7 m in diameter: it was built of medium-sized stones on which a layer of
pithos sherds was placed (L185). A clay-built oven (diameter
approximately 0.5 m) is in the corner between W21 and 22.
A partially preserved cooking pot was found, together with
two lumps of melted lead (541 g together) inside the oven
(L149). he oven and the cooking pot were obviously used to
melt lead, but no moulds were discovered. Other inds from
this room include a wall bracket of ired clay, another partly
preserved cooking pot of Coarse ware, a millstone (N68), a
stone disc of diorite (N51) and a biconical object of ired clay
which resembles a large ellipsoid bead which probably was
used as a seal together with a string (N54). R17 was no doubt
a working space, where lead was melted and worked but also
where food was prepared.
No excavations were carried out in the central part of the
compound, whereas R18 was partly exposed in the southwestern portion of the excavations (W25, 12, 13). Centrally
placed in this room is a large ashlar block. Finds from this
room include the “Creature Krater” which may have been
standing on the ashlar block (see previous report), a wall
bracket of ired clay (N70), and two stone tools: a mortar
(N69) and a pestle (N76). he space to the south of R18,
14
It is possible that another dividing wall which would separate the
northern part of R16 from its southern part may be found when the
excavations are continued.
THE NEW SWEDISH CYPRUS EXPEDITION 2011 • PETER M. FISCHER • 99
Fig. 7. Stratum 2 overview with the position of walls, loci and inds included (drawing by M. Bataineh).
100 • PETER M. FISCHER • THE NEW SWEDISH CYPRUS EXPEDITION 2011
Fig. 8. White Slip I and II, White Painted VI and White Shaved vessels (drawing by M. Bataineh).
THE NEW SWEDISH CYPRUS EXPEDITION 2011 • PETER M. FISCHER • 101
Fig. 9. Pendant-pataikos (N72) of stone (drawing by M. Bataineh, photograph by P.M. Fischer and H. Indgjerd).
which represents an open area, revealed a number of interesting inds which lay embedded in a substantial ash layer: two
large Plain White Wheel-made kraters of a light green fabric,
a stopper of ired clay (N62), two loom weights of ired clay
(N77, 78), a carnelian bead (N66) and an unique, pendant
igurine of stone (N72; Fig. 9). he pendant igurine is made
of a black stone with white marbling with traits which show
foreign inluence, maybe from Syria/Lebanon. he dwarf-like
igurine, a pataikos, has a pierced neck pointing to its use as a
pendant. It most likely depicts a male deity: the face shows
enlarged eyes, nose and mouth, but no headdress is indicated.
he breasts and the hips are somewhat accentuated and so is
the belly. he arms are clutched below the belly. A kilt is noticeable below the hips but it is not clear if the upper part of
the body was naked or clad.
he open area is limited to the south by another wall
(W29, not on the plan) which was discovered during the last
day of the excavations. It is noticeable that this wall runs in
a diferent direction, in comparison with the other walls belonging to Stratum 2, and may belong to yet another phase,
Stratum 3.
STRATUM 3 (FIG. 10)
A third phase of occupation was reached in only three spots:15
one spot in Trench 5B, below R17, where two walls meet at
right angles (W30, 31). he construction of these walls is different from those of the more recent strata: they are smaller,
not more than 0.3 m in width. W31 seems to continue below
the massive W19, which is ascribed to Stratum 2. he pottery
from the area between W30 and 31 may belong to Stratum 2
because it derives from the same level as the top of the walls,
and includes White Shaved and White Slip II sherds (some
types in Fig. 8:3-6).
he other two spots where Stratum 3 is present are in
Trench 3A (W32) and possibly W29 in Trench 3B (see
above).
15
It must be emphasized that there is no stratigraphical connection
between the three spots.
102 • PETER M. FISCHER • THE NEW SWEDISH CYPRUS EXPEDITION 2011
Fig. 10. Stratum 3 overview with the position of walls, loci and inds included (drawing by M. Bataineh).
Preliminary conclusions
he 12th century levels at Hala Sultan Tekke have been investigated over the course of several decades by the late P.
Åström. he main objective of the resumed excavations at
Hala Sultan Tekke in Area 6, which are guided by the GPR
since 2010, was the investigation and determination of the
complete occupational sequence of pre-12th century levels.
he large, Late Cypriote complex which was discovered and
partly exposed in 2010 was further excavated in 2011.
hirteen walled spaces which belong to Stratum 1, the
most recent phase of occupation, have now been uncovered.
hey represent working and living spaces. A few partially ex-
posed spaces, which obviously had the same functions, are
from Stratum 2. From the latter is a compound with extraordinarily wide walls, which was reused in Stratum 1 and exposed in the eastern part of the excavations. Some complete
vessels of Base-ring I and II and Mycenaean-type vessels derive from this Stratum 2 compound. A third stratum, Stratum
3, could only be partly uncovered.16
16
For selected sections see Figs. 11, 12.
THE NEW SWEDISH CYPRUS EXPEDITION 2011 • PETER M. FISCHER • 103
Table 1. Radiocarbon dates of samples rom Strata 1 and 2.
Laboratory number
Stratum Sample
Material
δ13C [‰]
VERA-5408
VERA-5409HS
1
1
charcoal (twig)
charcoal (twig)
–33.5 ± 1.6 2955 ± 40
–28.5 ± 1.2 3005 ± 55
VERA-5410
VERA-5411
VERA-5412
VERA-5407
1
2
2
2
olive stones
charcoal (twig)
charcoal
charcoal (twig?)
–22.7 ± 2.3
–27.1 ± 1.4
–27.0 ± 1.4
–23.7 ± 0.7
H10A6T1B L32
H10A6T1B L61
Humic acids
H10A6T1C L82
H10A6T1DL55-1
H10A6T1DL55-2
H10A6T1A L90
In addition to absolute radiocarbon dates,17 there are also a
number of primary contexts18 speciically from Room 11,
which are valuable for the relative dating of Stratum 1. he six
intact or complete Base-ring II bowls from Room 11 can only
be roughly dated to the period from LC II to LC III (see Appendix 1). A White Slip II bowl, which belongs to the “Normal White Slip II” group, derives from the same context. A
complete example of this type of bowl was found in the new
excavations at Tell el-cAjjul (Phase H1B) and has been dated
to the later part of the 18th Dynasty or LC IIB/C.19 he other ceramic wares from this, and other Stratum 1 contexts, do
not allow for a more precise dating at present. he cylinder
seal of haematite, which could have been recarved (see Appendix 2), is of little use for chronological considerations: it
most likely represents an heirloom from the 14th century BC
which was altered later on.
A few partially exposed spaces, which obviously also had
domestic functions, were found in Stratum 2. However, a
compound with extraordinarily wide walls which was partly
exposed in the eastern portion of the excavations was also
found in Stratum 2. It was reused in Stratum 1. Complete
Base-ring I and Mycenaean-type vessels (FS 149) derive from
this compound: ceramic parallels point to an overlapping
time-span corresponding to LC IIA2-LC IIC1. A third stratum, Stratum 3, could be uncovered only at a few spots.20
here are numerous sherds which belong to the irst half of
the Late Cypriote or even the Middle Cypriote period. However, architectural remains have not yet been found—unless
they were reused. here are, for example, sherds of White Slip
I (monochrome decorated in Fig. 8:1; and bichrome decorated ware in Fig. 8:2). hese have counterparts from the new
excavations at Tell el-cAjjul (Phase H4/3) which are dated to
the irst half of the 18th Dynasty or LC IB.21 Amongst the
17
Fischer 2011a, 84.
Primary contexts are deined as: sealed settlement contexts which
were not disturbed by later activities prior to excavation.
19
Fischer 2003, 277, ig. 5:7.
20
For selected sections see Figs. 11, 12.
21
Fischer 2003, 274, igs. 4:4, 5.
18
14
C-age(1σ) [BP]
2955 ± 35
3005 ± 35
2935 ± 40
2980 ± 35
Calibrated age (2σ)(INTCAL09 /
OxCal 3.10)
1310BC (95.4%) 1020BC
1410BC (95.4%) 1050BC
1300BC (95.4%) 1040BC
1390BC (95.4%) 1120BC
1270BC (95.4%) 1000BC
1380BC (3.6%) 1340BC
1320BC (90.6%) 1110BC
1100BC (1.2%) 1080BC
earlier wares from another context is a White Painted VI
spouted juglet (Fig. 8:7).
he following ceramic wares (not divided according to
phases here) are represented: White Painted Pendant and
Cross Line Style, Red-on-Black/Red, Red and Black Slip,
Monochrome, Bichrome Wheel-made, Proto White Slip (?),
White Slip I (both monochrome and bichrome decorated)
and White Slip II (early, mature and late), Base-ring I and II,
Red Lustrous Wheel-made, White Painted VI, White Painted Wheel-made, Plain White Wheel-made, White Shaved,
Coarse and Pithoi. Imports were also found, amongst which
are some intact vessels from the Mycenaean sphere of culture.
A few, possibly intrusive, sherds of globular jugs of Phoenician Bichrome (?) ware were found just below colluvial soil.
here are some unique discoveries amongst the small
inds: one is a haematite cylinder seal with six incised panels,
of obvious Cypriote origin; another is a pendant igurine of
black and white marbled stone, a pataikos, with possible inluences from Syria/Lebanon.
he importance of the coastal city of Hala Sultan Tekke
is further highlighted by the new inds from Area 6, which
did not produce any stratiied architectural remains from the
pre-2010 excavations. he ind complex conirms intense intercultural relations during the second half of the Late Cypriote period. here is strong evidence from inds belonging to
the irst half of the Late Cypriote period, or even the Middle
Cypriote period, that the city played an important role even
earlier. However, distinct architectural remains have not yet
been found from the early stages of existence of this city. he
discovery, exposure and recording of these early remains are
the main task of the future excavations. An extended groundpenetrating radar survey is planned for 2012.
PETER M. FISCHER
Professor of Cypriote Archaeology
Department of Historical Studies
University of Gothenburg, Sweden
Contact: Dörjeskärsgatan 37,
SE-421 60 Västra Frölunda
peter@fischerarchaeology.se
Fig. 12. Section S 10/11-2 rom north to south (drawing by M. Bataineh).
104 • PETER M. FISCHER • THE NEW SWEDISH CYPRUS EXPEDITION 2011
Fig. 11. Section S 10/11-1 rom west to east (drawing by M. Bataineh).
THE NEW SWEDISH CYPRUS EXPEDITION 2011 • PETER M. FISCHER • 105
Appendix 1:
Two primary contexts
with Cypriote and
Mycenaean pottery
N50 (Fig. 6:3): Small Base-ring I juglet, complete (part of
handle missing), hand-made, hard ired, light brownish-red
fabric, grey core, medium ine, light brownish-red slip, worn
grey wash.
L125-1 (Fig. 5:4): Lamp, wheel-made, medium hard ired,
light brownish-yellow fabric, medium ine, self-slip, traces of
secondary iring on spout.
BY T. BÜRGE
Material and context
During the 2011 campaign at Hala Sultan Tekke, two primary contexts containing a number of complete vessels were
found. he two contexts follow each other stratigraphically
(Stratum 1 is directly above Stratum 2, see also main article)
and, therefore, allow relative chronological studies and provide hints about their absolute dates.22 In principle, complete
vessels of Base-ring and Mycenaean wares will be discussed
here, although other wares will also be referred to. It is important to highlight the fact that single sherds may represent
residual inds and should be treated with care in connection with chronological discussions.23 Other inds, for instance tools and jewellery, do not contribute to a meaningful
chronological discussion and have been omitted.
CONTEXT STRATUM 2
he older context was found on the loor of Room 15, which
is situated east of W19 and south of W33. Both walls are
made of conglomerate. W19 is around 1 m wide and W33
approximately 0.6 m (preserved height of both is approximately 0.3 m). It includes two remarkably well-preserved,
small Mycenaean beaked jugs (N46 and N48), a Base-ring I
juglet (N50), a lamp (L125-1), a spindle-whorl (N47) and a
diorite pestle (N44).
N46 (Fig. 6:2): Small Mycenaean beaked jug, wheel-made,
hard ired, light orangish-brown fabric, ine, yellowish-brown
slip, orangish-red decoration.
N48 (Fig. 6:1): Small Mycenaean beaked jug, wheel-made,
hard ired, light orangish-brown fabric, ine, yellowish-brown
slip, orangish-red decoration.
CONTEXT STRATUM 1
he more recent context was exposed in Room 11, which had
the same dimensions (so far exposed) as Room 15, as both W19
and W33 were reused or used as foundations for the structures
of Stratum 1.24 hree intact Base-ring II bowls (N38, 39, 40)
were lying on the loor (L116). Four more (L107-5, 8, 9, 10)
were broken, but their complete proiles could be reconstructed in three cases; the base of L107-8 is missing. Fragments—
mostly handles and rims—belonging to approximately three
more bowls of the same type were found on the loor of R11,
as well as a cylinder seal of haematite with six panels (N41;
Fig. 4a–b; see Appendix 2 by L. Franz), a lead bead or weight
(N43), three White Painted Wheel-made bowls (L107-2, 3, 4)
and fragments of a White-Slip II bowl (L107-6).
N38 (Fig. 6:5): Base-ring II bowl, hand-made, very hard ired,
light red fabric, thick grey core, self-slip, grey wash.
N39 (Fig. 6:6): Base-ring II bowl, hand-made, very hard ired,
light red fabric, thick grey core, self-slip, grey wash, worn.
N40 (Fig. 6:4): Base-ring II bowl, hand-made, very hard ired,
light red fabric, thick grey core, self-slip, grey wash, worn.
L107-5 (Fig. 6:9): Base-ring II bowl, hand-made, medium
hard ired, light red fabric, thick grey core, self-slip, light red
wash, very worn.
L107-8 (Fig. 6:8): Base-ring II bowl, hand-made, hard ired,
light red fabric, thick grey core, ine, self-slip, dark grey wash,
very worn.
L107-9 (Fig. 6:4 25): Base-ring II bowl, hand-made, hard ired,
light red fabric, thick grey core, ine, self-slip, dark grey wash,
very worn.
L107-10 (Fig. 6:5): Base-ring II bowl, hand-made, medium
hard ired, light orange fabric, medium ine, whitish-orange
slip, very worn.
24
22
23
See the radiocarbon dates in Fischer 2011a, 84.
Fischer 2006, 359–362.
See above, main article.
he two Base-ring II bowls N40 and L107-9 are almost identical
and shown in the same drawing: Fig. 6:4.
25
106 • PETER M. FISCHER • THE NEW SWEDISH CYPRUS EXPEDITION 2011
L107-2 (Fig. 3:9): White Painted Wheel-made bowl, hard
ired, light brown fabric, medium ine, yellowish-white slip,
light reddish brown decoration.
L107-3 (Fig. 3:12): White Painted Wheel-made bowl, medium hard ired, light brown fabric, medium ine, light yellowish-brown slip, reddish-brown decoration.
L107-4 (Fig. 3:11): White Painted Wheel-made bowl, medium hard ired, light orangish-brown fabric, ine, light reddish-yellow slip, red paint.
L107-6 (Fig. 8:6): White-Slip II bowl, hand-made, hard ired,
brownish-red fabric, medium ine, thick greyish-white slip,
dark brown decoration.
Shapes and parallels
CONTEXT STRATUM 2
Base-ring I juglet (Fig. 6:3)
Juglets are common amongst the Base-ring I ware repertoire.
However, the vertical relief decoration on the body, two parallel ridges joined at the upper end26 and especially the trefoil
spout are rare. he best parallel so far found is in Medelhavsmuseet, Stockholm;27 another similar juglet was found in Enkomi but this has white painting on the neck.28
Mycenaean beaked juglets (Fig. 6:1, 2)
he depressed globular shape of the two Mycenaean juglets,
with one handle from the rim to the shoulder and a narrow
neck, corresponds roughly to FS 149.29 Parallels outside of
Cyprus can be found in Rhodes30/Ialysos,31 Aigina32 and
Eleusis,33 at Eleusis with lat base. However, the shapes of
the spouts and the decoration difer from our examples. Five
vessels from Cyprus, viz. one from Hala Sultan Tekke,34 two
26
Åström 1972a, 160.
Inv. no. acc. 709; see Sjöqvist 1940, 36 ig. 7, 3b; also Åström 1972a,
160; pl. 50, 1. Type VID 2b γ’ with further parallels.
28
Tomb 10: Dikaios 1969, pl. 212, 5.
29
See Furumark 1992, 83. Other similar shapes might be FS 112, FS
114 and FS 144.
30
Benzi 1992, pl. 154 i; 154 l.
31
Tomb 31: Mountjoy 1999, 998 ig. 404, 31; 999; also Benzi 1992, pl.
54 g.
32
Hiller 1975, pl. 29, 267, 268.
33
Mountjoy 1999, 527 ig. 188, 143; 528; also Mylonas 1975, pl. 191
δ, 900.
34
Tomb 2: Karageorghis 1976, pl. 58, 195; 77, 195.
27
from Maroni35 and two from Kition,36 are the closest parallels
so far, the two from Kition being almost identical to those
from Hala Sultan Tekke. he elongated trefoil spout apparently only appears in the Cypriote examples from Hala Sultan
Tekke and Kition. he horizontal band and line decoration
on the body and neck of two of the Cypriote samples also
contrasts with the aforementioned Aegean vessels, which
have additional decoration.37 Painting on the rim and the
outer part of the handle is common to all these vessels.
CONTEXT STRATUM 1
Base-ring II bowls (Fig. 6:4–9)
he seven Base-ring II bowls exhibit three diferent shapes,
all of them, however, slightly difering in size: N38 and 107-5
have a deined carination.38 N40 and 107-9 are similar to each
other, almost identical, but have wider rims. In comparison
with these examples, N39, 107-8 and 107-10 are smoothly
carinated.39 hese Base-ring II bowls are common inds in
Cypriote Late Bronze Age contexts.40 Also our White Slip II
bowl (Fig. 8:6) is a common ind in contexts where Base-ring
II is found.
Possible influences
While the Base-ring vessels belong to the typical pottery repertoire, parallels with the Mycenaean juglets are diicult to
ind. here are many similar vessels from the south-eastern
Aegean, difering, however, in terms of decoration and the
shape of their spouts. Nonetheless, the closest parallels were
found in Cyprus. Here, the simple band decoration and the
trefoil spout appear to be characteristic. he latter attribute
might have been inluenced by local Base-ring juglets with
trefoil spouts,41 for instance our N50. Vessels of shape FS 149
have not been recorded in the Levant.42 hese observations
35
Tomb 14: Johnson 1980, pl. 19, 99 (classiied as a variant of FS 144);
Tomb 23: ibid., pl. 36, 178.
36
Walters 1900, ig. 124, 109; also Kiely 2010, 72 ig. 3. Karageorghis
1981, pl. 4, 10; 11, 4.
37
Except for two vessels from Rhodes, see Jasink & Bombardieri 2009,
383, pl. 90, RO.024; RO.025; with slightly diferent shapes of body and
spout.
38
See parallels in Åström 1972a, pl. 52, 7.
39
See parallels in Åström 1972a, pl. 52, 5.
40
E.g. Enkomi, Areas I and III, Tomb 10: Dikaios 1969, pl. 62. 95.
212; Kition, Area I and II: Karageorghis & Demas 1985, pl. 38 and 61
(No. 1149A, 1153/2, 1149/B); pl. 107 (No. 3047, 3045); pl. 111 (no.
4920, 4949, 2212, 2213, 2214); pl. 113 (no. 4283, 3687, 4263, 4255,
4293).
41
Also S. Deger-Jalkotzy, personal communication with P.M. Fischer,
June 2011.
42
Leonard 1994, 41.
THE NEW SWEDISH CYPRUS EXPEDITION 2011 • PETER M. FISCHER • 107
suggest that such juglets were produced for the Cypriote market, maybe outside the Mycenaean mainland, and adapted to
Cypriote taste.
Appendix 2:
The cylinder seal
BY L. FRANZ
Chronological conclusions
According to Åström, Base-ring I ceramics are documented
with a high amount of certainty between LC IA2 and LC IIA2,
while Base-ring II wares occur primarily between LC IIA1
and LC IIC2 but later occurrence has been reported.43 However, this chronology and typology of Base-ring ware, which is
primarily based on diferences in shape and decoration,44 has
been challenged by Vaughan who suggests a classiication of
Base-ring wares according to material and technical features.45
With reference to Vaughan, juglet N50 from Stratum 2 can be
classiied as “red burnished” (LC IA–LC IIC), while bowls
N38–40, 107-8 and 107-9 from Stratum 1 belong to the
group with “metallic slip” (LC IA–LC IIIB), and bowls 107-5
and 107-10 also from Stratum 1 to “uncoated or matte slip”
(LC IIB–LC IIIB or LC IB–LC IIIB).
Our White Slip II bowl, also found in Stratum 1, belongs
to the “Normal White Slip II” group which was also found
at Tell el-cAjjul in Stratum H1B, for instance, and has been
dated to the second half of the 18th Dynasty or Late Cypriote
IIB/C.46
Parallels of the Mycenaean beaked jugs from Stratum 2,
and FS 149 in general, are dated to LH IIIA2/B1,47 which
corresponds roughly to LC IIA2–LC IIC1.48
hus, according to these two contexts, the dating of Stratum 2 can be restricted to the period between LC IIA2 and
LC IIC (according to the Base-ring dates by Vaughan, see
above), while Stratum 1 can—based on pottery evidence—
only be dated roughly to the period from LC II to LC III.
his relative dating is not contradicted by radiocarbon
dates.49 Diferentiating the contexts in absolute chronological
terms, however, remains a problem, as the two contexts may
have been deposited within a year or a couple of decades of
each other.
Material and description
CYLINDER SEAL (N41; FIG. 4a–b)
Haematite, 2.2 cm × 0.8 cm, d. of hole 0.25 cm, weight 5 g.
he seal depicts six incised panels of approximately the same
size, separated by a continuous horizontal line and three vertical dotted lines.50 he three panels of the upper register display representations of humans: the irst panel depicts two
persons, grouped antithetically around a standard. he next
panel depicts a seated igure in a long robe holding up a cup,
facing two to three rosettes (grapes?) arranged vertically in
front of the person. he third panel depicts a long robed,
human igure to the right and another—not necessarily human—igure to the let. he panels of the lower register are
decorated with a tree, a winged griin or sphinx, and a bull’s
head. Remains of red colour were found in the depressions of
the carvings.
PARALLELS
he separation of the seal’s design into panels is a phenomenon which rarely appears. here are only a few examples
from the Near East51 and the Aegean.52 One of them, seal no.
906 from the Ashmolean Museum, bears some resemblance
to our seal.53 Here, however, only the similarities with our
seal will be discussed. Seal 906 from the Ashmolean Museum
also has six panels. Even though the separating lines are more
distinct, and thicker in comparison with our seal, the two
seals bear the same overall appearance, viz. six almost-square
panels, with one to two humans or animals each. Notwithstanding the fact that the two seals are stylistically diferent,
there is a striking similarity in the motifs of two of the panels:
Ashmolean 906 displays the same juxtaposition of a sitting
person with raised hand in front of three rosettes/grapes in
the upper register and a sphinx in the lower register.
43
Åström 1972b, 700–701.
But also on the fabric, see deinitions in Åström 1972a, 137 (Basering I); 173–174 (Base-ring II).
45
Vaughan 1991, 27; also Vaughan 2001.
46
Fischer 2003, 277, igs. 5, 7.
47
See e.g. Mountjoy 1999, 528. 999 (LH IIIA2); Karageorghis 1976, 77
(LH IIIA2–LH IIIB); Karageorghis 1981, 7 (LH IIIB); Benzi 1992, 299
(LH IIIA2); ibid., 461 (LH IIIA–B); Johnson 1980, 28 (LH IIIA2b–LH
IIIB); examples from Jasink & Bombardieri 2009, 341–342 (RO.024
and RO.025) are dated to LH IIIC (?).
48
Åström 1972b, 760. 762.
49
Fischer 2011a, 84.
44
50
Description according to seal impression.
For citation cf. Collon 1975, 102.
52
Cf. Porada 1970, 13.
53
A detailed description of the design of this seal, Ashmolean 906, can
be found elsewhere. Cf. Buchanan 1966, 168.
51
108 • PETER M. FISCHER • THE NEW SWEDISH CYPRUS EXPEDITION 2011
DISCUSSION
Upper panel
1. Two humans grouped antithetically around a stylized tree
or standard with a globe on top: both are shown grasping the
standard with their hands, standing on one leg and liting
the other leg with the knee bent, possibly indicating a dance
movement. he motif of two people grasping a globe-topped
standard frequently occurs in Syrian glyptics.54
2. A person sitting on a chair, wearing a long robe and holding up a cup, facing two or three rosettes or grapes arranged
vertically in front of him/her: this is almost exactly the same
motif as in Ashmolean 906.
3. A female person with long robes and raised hands, standing
behind a igure that may be human. he latter has an elongated, inely hatched body which is rounded at the bottom, a
v-shaped horizontal feature pointing towards the female person. Two thin lines are protruding from what seems to be the
back of its head. he combination of the elongated, hatched
body and V-shaped element resembles a locust: the hatchings
may indicate the exoskeleton, the V-shaped element its legs;
the lines at the back of the head can be interpreted as the antennae of the animal.
Lower panel
1. he short stem of the tree is created by three drill-holes.
he rounded crown of the tree consists of radially arranged
lines, each ending in a drill-hole. On both sides of the lowest
part of the crown, there is a hanging feature which probably
represents a cluster of dates.
2. he mythical creature could be either a sphinx or a griin,
with its hind legs crouched below the body and the tail pointing upwards. It has a hatched body and the wings appear to
be carved quite diligently in comparison to the overall style
of the design. Considering Ashmolean 906 as a parallel, it is
more likely to be a sphinx.
Style and provenance
he design is cursorily engraved on our seal: the heads of
the igures are simply drilled, giving them a quite schematic
overall appearance. he bodies are basically coarsely rendered
and indistinctly shaped, but there are some striking diferences: the sphinx, as well as the two igures in the unclear
scene in the third panel of the upper register, appear to be
executed more thoroughly compared to the others, and only
these three igures are decorated with ine hatchings. In spite
of lacking stylistic similarities, Ashmolean 906 can be regarded a parallel for our seal. Although it was found on the
island of Kos, Ashmolean 906 is catalogued as belonging to
the “Old Syrian Style” by Buchanan.55 With reference to the
sphinxes, he points out the possibility that it could be “a very
early example of Cypriote cylinder-seal glyptic”, with the reservation that evidence for a cultural milieu in Cyprus around
1600 BC, in which this seal might have been produced, was
lacking. Anyway, almost ity years of scientiic research in
Cypriote Bronze Age culture later, his reservations can be dismissed. Porada agrees with the idea of Ashmolean 906 being
an early example of Cypriote glyptic; she generally suggests
an Aegean origin because of the panel design and assumes the
prototypes to have been in gold.56 She even goes as far to say
that “we have failed to see the obvious, namely, that the magniicent ‘Syrian’ cylinders with a mixture of Syrian, Aegean,
and some Egyptian elements were actually made in Cyprus”.57
Our seal supports her hypothesis.
As to stylistic aspects, it is quite diicult to ind good
parallels. he repertoire of motifs is best relected in Flüchtig
Plastischer Stil, Gruppe 2. Zyprische Gruppe, dating to the
14th century BC.58 his group comprises depictions of humans, sphinxes, griins, trees as well as bucrania. No. 427,
especially, bears a stylistic resemblance to our seal, depicting a
woman, a sphinx and a tree.
3. Bucrania, made up of drill-holes of diferent dimensions
with a roundish element directly above them can be observed
in other Cypriote seals (see e.g. the stylistically diferent Ashmolean 957 and 963).
55
56
57
54
Cf. e.g. Otto 2000, nos. 132, 139, 146.
58
Buchanan 1966, 168.
Porada 1970, 13.
Porada 1971, 783.
Salje 1990, 130.
THE NEW SWEDISH CYPRUS EXPEDITION 2011 • PETER M. FISCHER • 109
Concluding remarks
If we accept the above cited references, it seems that our seal
was produced in Cyprus and may be a descendant from older
prototypes but carried out in the style of the 14th century BC
and using the motif repertoire from this period. his would
suggest that our seal is an heirloom, because the context in
which it was found is later (see main report). It has also been
hinted that our seal could have been recarved,59 which could
explain the red colour found in the carvings which may be the
remains of pulverized haematite.60 his would also account
for the diferences in the diligence of the execution of the igures. However, the residue of red colour in the carvings may
also suggest that the seal was used to stamp coloured motifs,
for instance, on fabric: an accumulation of murex shells in
one of the adjacent rooms points to the production of purple
in the building where the seal was found.
Appendix 3:
Reflections on
the architecture from
Areas 6, 8, 21 and 22 at
Hala Sultan Tekke
BY R. FELDBACHER
Introduction
he aim of this preliminary study is to compare the architecture from the new excavations in 2010 and 2011 in Area 6
with the architecture from P. Åström’s excavations in Areas 8,
21 and 22.61 he latter three areas have been chosen because
they are quite close to each other, and the direction of their
walls supports the assumption that they are part of the same
city quarter, whereas Area 6 lies somewhat closer to the ancient harbour (the present Salt Lake) and is on a higher level.
he local topography, with its rather lat terrain, favoured the
planning and building of well-deined orthogonal quarters.
Results
AREA 6
he 2010 campaign in Area 6, which was preceded by a GPR
survey,62 uncovered a structure belonging to an at least 25 m
long compound with a roughly WSW–ENE running wall on
the north side, against which rooms were built south of this
wall. Not unexpectedly, the structures in Area 6 are fairly similar to those from Areas 21 and 22, as well as Area 8. he walls
are, in general, double-faced walls with the largest and most
even blocks placed outwards, and rubble and small stones between the façade stones.
he building material for the walls in Area 6 consists of
either coarsely cut or naturally rounded limestone or, more
rarely, conglomerate. Ashlar blocks of stones as façade material were not used in the hitherto exposed compound. he
interstices were illed with soil, and sometimes with pure clay.
he average width of the walls is about 0.65–0.75 m and the
61
Negbi 2005, 7.
Fischer 2011a, 70-72; 2011b in press. he advantage of pre-excavation prospecting, followed by targeted excavation, is demonstrated by
the fact that the random test trenches in the north of Area 6 in the 1970s
only exposed some rudimentary structures (Åström 1983, 61).
62
59
Personal communication: P.M. Fischer with D. Collon (BM, London) and J. Smith (Princeton); Smith in press.
60
Analysis of the red colour is planned.
110 • PETER M. FISCHER • THE NEW SWEDISH CYPRUS EXPEDITION 2011
preserved heights are up to 0.5 m. Generally, larger stones
were used for the lower courses whilst the upper courses contain smaller stones and sometimes also pithoi sherds. In general, larger rectangular stones were used as binders between
the walls. Stone slabs, which served as thresholds, were frequently found. Havara loors were common.63 here are no
inds, thus far, which indicate the nature of the roofs but it is
presumed that they follow the common pattern in the eastern
Mediterranean, namely, that they are built of sun-dried mudbrick reinforced with straw/reed/twigs.
Mud-brick (or pisé) on lat stones was used for the upper parts of the structures, traces of which were exposed. he
walls were usually built directly on top of the soil. Proper
foundation trenches could not be veriied so far, but some
sort of “levelling” has been carried out. Internal division walls
do not follow any strict pattern. Some of the joining walls,
at an approximate right angle, have interlocking stones—but
not always (see e.g. W1 and W7 which means that W7 was
built ater W1). he spaces inside the compound are obviously arranged randomly, as most of them were roofed but others
were open or had partly-roofed courtyards.
In 2011, in the eastern part of the hitherto exposed compound, a 1.3 m wide wall (W26) was exposed, attached to the
northern wall of the compound (W1). It was built of large
blocks of conglomerate and limestone. his wall was originally built in Stratum 2 and reused in Stratum 1. In two of
the southern trenches (T5B and T3A) there are remains of
a third phase of occupation, Stratum 3, of which only a few
walls (which do not difer) have been exposed so far.
From the trial soundings in the 1970s in Area 6, the direction of most of the structures of Stratum 1 is WSW–ENE and
NWN–SES but in the southern part the direction is NS–EW.
In the northern part of the southern sector of Area 6, some of
the widest walls, although badly preserved, were found (F2083
and F2084 with widths of 1.2 m and 1.3 m). hey were preliminarily interpreted as parts of a city-wall or fortiication.64
AREA 8
he stone walls from Layer 3 correspond in general to those
from Area 6. he main diference between Areas 6 and 8 is
that Area 8 contains walls built of ashlar blocks.65 he average width of the walls is 0.7–0.9 m, going WNW–ESE and
NNE–SSW.66 he walls are partially covered with worked
slabs of limestone, for instance Room 1 which has a built
loor.67 Water installations and wells were frequently found.68
AREA 21
he buildings in Area 21 run WNW–ESE.69 he walls also
have an average width of either 0.4–0.5 m, or 0.65–0.75m.
F5025 in Area 21 is a wider wall which was obviously built to
support a heavier structure.70
AREA 22
Most of the walls in Area 22 (and Area 8) run NNE–SSW
and WNW–ESE, indicating that the two areas were connected.71 he material consists of hewn blocks and rough stones.
he hewn blocks have an average dimension of approximately
0.3 m × 0.2 m × 0.15 m, the stones are somewhat smaller.72
In a few places, depending on the local topography, certain
structures were built on terraces, for instance in this area. he
surface below the frequently found Havara loors was levelled
before the transverse walls were built.73
Discussion and concluding remarks
Synchronization based on pottery is beyond the scope of this
study. It is so far not possible to synchronize the occupational
phases of the discussed areas with radiocarbon dates, since
radiocarbon dates of short-lived samples are only available
from the new excavations in Area 6. he general layout of the
structures and the building material are comparable. he partially exposed eastern compound of Area 6 is fairly large and
suggestive of an oicial building.
Finally, some relections on the dating of the compounds
based on the shape of the structures should be mentioned:
Åström dated the main occupational phase of Area 8 to the Late
Cypriote IIIA period, whereas Negbi claims that the π-shape of
the buildings in Area 8 is diagnostic of LC IIC.74 Nevertheless,
the discussion on dating the various occupational phases and, in
particular, their abandonment cannot be resolved by studying
the typology of structures. here are structural similarities with
Enkomi and Pyla-Kokkinokremos at the end of the Late Cypriote period, and with compounds at Ras Shamra (Ugarit).75
67
68
69
70
71
63
64
65
66
For the deinition of Havara loors, see: Hult 1981, 15.
Hatziantoniou 1983, 107; see also Åström 1983, 72-105.
An overview of Area 8: Åström 1989, ig. 3.
Hult 1978, 2 and 23–26.
72
73
74
75
For the description of the individual slabs: Hult 1977, 74.
Hult 1977, 76–79.
Frizell 1977, igs. 11–13.
Frizell 1977, 38.
Hult 1981, 15–16 and ig. 1,48.
Öbrink 1979, 10.
Öbrink 1979, 20.
Cf. Wright 1992, 212.
Hult 1981, 20.
THE NEW SWEDISH CYPRUS EXPEDITION 2011 • PETER M. FISCHER • 111
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