“Significant maritime links” between cape Drepanum of Paphos and south Palestine in the 6th century AD are attested by amphorae finds unearthed by the New York University team at Maniki harbour, near Ayios Georgios in Peyia, during the 2024 excavation period.

The Department of Antiquities said on Monday the excavation was conducted at Maniki harbour and on Yeronisos island, and the archaeological survey was continued at Meletis necropolis.

About 3.5 km of cape Drepanum coast from the sea caves in the south to the Aspros river in the north were explored and documented.

Eight stone anchors lifted from the sea floor in 2019 and 2022 together with the amphorae that have undergone desalination treatment at Larnaca Museum were studied.

The comprehensive digitisation of all site and trench plans, integrating the terrestrial and underwater investigations, also began.

The team excavated two trenches at Maniki harbour unearthing vast deposits of late Roman amphorae dumped at the water’s edge.

Quantities of Late Roman 1 type amphorae of local Paphian manufacture were recovered, together with so-called ‘Palestinian bag-shaped amphorae’ and ‘Gaza Jars,’ attesting to significant maritime connections between cape Drepanum and south Palestine in the 6th century AD.

Excavation in two small trenches atop Yeronisos revealed significant walls from the late Ptolemaic period.