Archaeologists unearthed remains of an ancient rampart in Palaepaphos at Kouklia, Cyprus. The structure dated back to the 6th century BC.

The excavations were conducted in the area of the citadel of Hadjiabdoulla, where an extensive storage and industrial complex of the Cypro-Classical period is located, and in the area of mount of Laona. The complex at plateau of Hadjiabdoulla functioned as the centre of the royal dynasty that ruled the city-state of Paphos until the end of the 4th cent. BC. The structure extends for over 65 m along the northern ridge of the plateau, consisting of stepped terraces built down the slope and subdivisions creating storage spaces. Archaeologists recently were able to also conduct micro-morphological studies, and mud-brick, wall plasters, phytolith and starch analyses. It lead to the discovery that agricultural products such as olives, grapes and wheat, and murex snails, needed for dyeing cloths in royal purple were stored there.

Excavations at Leona mount – a mortuary monument in a form of a tumulus, situated 75 metres North of the Hadjiabdoulla complex, revealed that it was constructed by thick horizontal layers of marl alternating with layers of red soil. Researchers estimate that the construction of the tumulus required 9.888 cubic metres of marl and red soil. The structure dates to 3rd century BC. Excavations in the south-eastern quarter of the mound revealed an existence of a rampart running north-south, so far excavated to a length of 42.5 metres. The structure is preserved to a height of 5 metres. Its inner face is made of a layer upon layer of mudbricks. Ceramic material found within it makes it possible to date the rampart to the 6th century BC, in the end of the Cypro-Archaic period.

(after Sigma Live, Cyprus Mail & Famagusta Gazette)