History of excavations

In 2007-2012, the Department of Antiquities and Limassol Museum conducted rescue excavations at the site of Erimi Pitharka (along with other sites in the vicinity), directed by Katerina Papanikolaou.

Excavations were carried out in four main areas of the site, uncovering terrace walls, a number of subterranean installations and part of a large building interpreted as an administrative centre. The finds included local and imported ceramics (including many pithos sherds, from which the site gets its name), stone tools and other small finds. The pottery mainly dates to LC IIC-IIIA.

In 2001 and 2007-2008, the Department of Antiquities also conducted rescue excavations of a cave at Erimi Pitharka discovered during construction work, so-called Cave 1. This included restoration work and the cave is now covered and fenced in.

The cave consists of six carved chambers connected by two corridors. The finds mainly include stone tools and ceramics dated to LC IIIA-B, c. 1200-1050 BCE.

For the press release, see Department of Antiquities website.