Archaeologists unearth rare medieval findings at Panagia Karmiotissa

Archaeologists in Cyprus have unveiled a significant array of medieval findings at the Panagia Karmiotissa site, marking a discovery of rare scale and importance, according to the Cyprus Department of Antiquities. After the second excavation season led by Dr. Andreas Nicolaides and Dr. Margot Hoffelt, researchers have revealed evidence of layers of past human activity, ancient burial sites, and underground structures dating back as early as the 13th century.

The findings, part of a three-year collaboration between Cyprus’s ERATOSTHENES Centre of Excellence and France’s CNRS archaeology lab, aim to uncover the origins of Panagia Karmiotissa. Historical records hinted at a 13th-century Carmelite presence, though architectural studies place the current church’s construction in the 14th century, prompting deeper excavation to identify earlier periods.

Excavations on the church’s northern terraces exposed layers of past human activity showing stone masonry linked to domestic activities, including a limestone floor believed to contain an early water distribution system. Behind the church, archaeologists discovered around 20 human-sized burial pits, all meticulously excavated, along with signs of five phases of burials. One of these burial layers included a staircase leading to an area beneath the church’s chevet, suggesting a complex of subterranean chambers, supported by ground-penetrating radar surveys.

Additional findings included wall painting fragments with text and garment patterns, and portions of earth walls and postholes, offering a detailed glimpse into the church’s medieval past. Radiocarbon dating will further refine the timeline of these structures. The Department of Antiquities heralded the findings as groundbreaking, citing the rarity and extensive nature of the evidence which promises to shed new light on Cyprus’s medieval history.