In the second week of excavation, the first excavators find the bedrock of their 2.5 x 2.5 m cuts and can therefore proceed directly to the next small cuts.
Excavators creating a 3D model of the bedrock
One of our sections has some structures that were already found last year. These are now being excavated further and all kinds of complete or only slightly damaged finds of limestone and terracotta statuettes of various sizes are being made, which are removed from the earth with great care and sensitivity. Those that are broken during removal are then glued together in the excavation house between the docu-writers and ceramic-washers with the freshly mixed glue and therefore restored.
Other excavators discovering the finds from the niche this year
This is particularly interesting when you compare the site with last year’s finds. Last year, the affected cut was extended in the last two weeks to the cut that will be excavated in 2024. This decision was made because the profile of the last cut in 2023 showed an architecture that could not be defined in more detail but could be considered a niche, which was already being studied with a view to this year. Impressive finds were already made last year, such as life-size terracotta feet in situ, decorated with colored sandals.
Terracotta feet, found in 2023
This year, we made further impressive finds in this very niche, giving us hope for further discoveries and a possible cultic significance of the niche.
The working week ended abruptly when it started to rain and our cuts turned into small pools. Instead, we worked intensively in the excavation house on documenting and processing the finds we had already made.
On our day off, we decided to go on an excursion to the Troodos, but spent most of it in the car due to the persistent rain.
And so we start the third week…
Tosca Nina Negelmann