AKROTIRI, CYPRUS—Members of the Cyprus Antiquities Department and injured servicemen and women, working through Britain’s Operation Nightingale, have been excavating a seventh-century basilica. The large building was decorated with mosaics, marble, gold leaf, and bronze statues. “This literally helps us understand and re-write the history of the seven century in Cyprus. We estimate that after its construction, it had a very short life-span of approximately 30 years before it was abandoned and destroyed. This was a very important place and house the relics of some very important people,” explained Eleni Procopiou of the Cyprus Antiquities Department.
Christian Basilica Excavated in Cyprus
News November 25, 2013
SHARE:
Recommended Articles
Off the Grid September/October 2012
Aquincum, Hungary
(Courtesy Aquincum Museum)
Off the Grid July/August 2012
Pucará de Tilcara, Argentina
(Niels Elgaard Larsen/Wikimedia Commons)
Library of Congress
PA Media Pte Ltd/Alamy Stock Photo
-
Features September/October 2013
Tomb of the Vulture Lord
A king’s burial reveals a pivotal moment in Maya history
(© Kenneth Garrett) -
Letter from Norway September/October 2013
The Big Melt
The race to find, and save, ancient artifacts emerging from glaciers and ice patches in a warming world
Courtesy Oppland County Council, Photo: Johan Wildhagen/Palookaville -
Artifacts September/October 2013
Roman Writing Tablet
A tablet bearing a birthday party invite includes the earliest Latin script penned by a woman
(© The Trustees of the British Museum/Art Resource, NY) -
Digs & Discoveries September/October 2013
No Changeups on the Savannah
(Private Collection/J.T. Vintage/The Bridgeman Art Library, Werner Forman/Art Resource, NY, Pat Benic/Copyright Bettmann/Corbis/AP Images)