In a captivating discovery that has stirred the archaeological community, a fragmentary inscription in the ancient Cypriot syllabary has been uncovered during excavations at Palaipafos, located near the modern-day village of Kouklia-Marcellos on Cyprus’s southwest coast.
This finding has intrigued researchers, eager to delve deeper into the rich historical tapestry of the region.
Dating back to a time when Palaipafos was a thriving city-kingdom during the Iron Age and an administrative hub in the Late Bronze Age, this site continues to reveal its secrets. The Cypriot syllabary is believed to have evolved from Linear A, used in Cyprus approximately between 1500 and 300 BC. The discovery shines a light on the period before the Greek alphabet replaced the Cypriot script during the 4th century BC.
The inscription discovery isn’t alone; it joins earlier findings, including a magnificent 168-meter wall and engravings of ships, adding richness to the site’s historical context. The wall’s dating and purpose, previously cloaked in mystery, are now incrementally unveiled.
Notably, recent excavations have suggested that a structure once thought to be a defensive fort might actually have served a cultic purpose. This structure, originating between the 12th and 11th centuries BC and showing signs of activity until the 6th century BC, continues to be a focal point for researchers. The presence of ship engravings, reminiscent of depictions found at Kition, further emphasizes the site’s historical significance—one of which, discovered in 2024, remains unfinished, yet immensely intriguing.
The 2024 excavation season saw archaeologists turn their focus to a mysterious tunnel beneath the wall, theorized to date back to around 499/498 BC during a Persian siege. This excavation, a collaboration between the National Kapodistrian University (NKUA) and the University of Cyprus, under the guidance of Professor Maria Iakovou, aims to unearth more of Palaiopafos’s historical layers. In a continuing effort to unravel these mysteries, the team is slated to return for a fifth mission in 2025, promising more revelations in this ever-evolving archaeological saga.
