The Archaeological Research Unit of the University of Cyprus invites you to a hybrid public lecture by Dr. Sabine Fourrier (Senior researcher at CNRS HiSoMA research unit, Maison de l’Orient et de la Méditerranée Jean Pouilloux, Lyon France) titled: The Late Bronze Age-Early Iron Age transition at Kition: New evidence from Bamboula.

See below for a summary on the topic of the event:

“The area of ancient Kition (modern Larnaka) experienced during the 13th-10th centuries BCE contrasting developments. On one hand, we observe a topographical shift, which led from a very densely populated area in the 13th century, characterized by numerous and varied settlements, to the existence of a sole and unique urban centre (Kition). On the other hand, this urban center exhibits a very stable topography across the crisis years that precede the turn of the millennium. Rupture out, continuity in. Or, to use and slightly modify Lampedusa’s words, everything changed outside of the town, but (almost) everything remained as it was in the city. This observation raises interesting questions about possible political and social implications, which are however, difficult to better define in the absence of relevant evidence. This remarkable continuity was first evidenced by the Department of Antiquities’ excavations, under the direction of Vassos Karageorghis, in the sacred precinct of Kathari.

Recent excavations by the French mission to the north of the Bamboula plot give additional and complementary information. At Bamboula, immediately to the west of the ancient harbour basin, excavation revealed a continuous stratigraphic sequence, starting on the bedrock and dating to the 13th century, and continuing into the 10th century BCE. The remains belong to domestic units, which experienced successive phases of development. A rich, albeit fragmentary, material discloses a thriving settlement with overseas connections. The lecture will present the main results of the excavations, whose final publication is currently under press.”

• Date : Monday, September 29th 2025
• At : 19:45 PM (Athens/Nicosia Time)
• Duration : 1 h 30 min
• Registration* : click here.

*Lectures are free and open to the public, but registration is required for access to the Zoom lecture.