‘Water Management in Prehistory; Research and Heritage Strategies’ (WMP) aims to reconstruct the palaeo- and archaeo-environment in the wider area of Kissonerga, in Western Cyprus, and to expand our knowledge of water management in the past through exploring its cultural dimension. The project also seeks to investigate the possible presence of a Pre-Pottery Neolithic (PPN) settlement and more well clusters in this area, as well as to contribute to the preservation, protection and promotion of this rich cultural heritage. An international and interdisciplinary team of specialists was brought together to realise this purpose, through surface survey, excavation, geophysical research and geomorphological analysis. After a preliminary survey, ten land plots were selected on the basis of the research aims.
Excavation
On the invitation of the Department of Antiquities of Cyprus, WMP undertook sample excavation in the coastal area of Kissonerga Mylouthkia, South of the PPNB Wells 133, 116 and Building 340; and North of PPNB Wells 2030 and 2070. Stratified systematic aligned sampling methodology was judged as the best approach for the excavation of this area. The western part of this plot, bordering the cliffs over Kefaloui Bay, was excluded from this investigation as it is within the coastal protection zone and therefore not threatened by imminent development.
Five long trenches and two test pits were opened, sampling 12.5% of the eastern part (). The results of this excavation were heart-breaking. Soon after the removal οf topsoil consisting mostly of modern debris, it became clear that the local bedrock, havara, had been broken into by machinery shortly before 1991. The archaeological strata, above havara and the geological formations below it, had been muddled along with archaeological and modern materials in the entire area. We were able to date this intentional damage of the pre-existing archaeological horizon with great precision as fizzy drink cans with expiry dates in 1991 were found buried alongside Chalcolithic and Roman pottery, chipped stone, groundstone, banana cultivation water pipes and other modern debris. No archaeological context was found for any of the finds. Any archaeology on the surface of the bedrock did not survive. If any deep negative feature, such as a well, existed in this area, this was not found.
Fig. 1. WMP Map I Kissonerga Mylouthkia 2015 sampling excavation.
According to Jerome Robitaille (Ecole des Hautes Etudes des Sciences Sociales, Paris), the groundstone industry could belong to any prehistoric period. However, the two large and exceptionally heavy querns and pestles found at the site reveal industry of permanent domestic character. The chipped stone was predominantly opaque and is currently under study by Carole McCartney. The pottery sherds found were much abraded, dating predominantly to the Chalcolithic, Roman and Medieval time periods, as identified by Diane Bolger (University of Edinburgh).
Geoarchaeology
The geomorphological study, undertaken by Pantelitsa Mylona (Muséum National d’Histoire Naturelle, Paris) had a double aim; firstly, to understand the palaeotopography and palaeoenvironment directly related to Kissonerga Mylouthkia, and secondly, to reconstruct the regional palaeoclimatic conditions and topography of the wider Kissonerga area through the study of Kathikas, Krasaris and Appis Rivers banks and terracing.
One of the most interesting finds within the site was a burnt feature associated with a palaeosoil in Trench II. This palaeosoil was identified along the entire 52 m of length of this trench at an elevation of 35.237 masl. The burnt feature related to the palaeosoil was identified in the middle of the trench, covering an area of 2.5 m by 3 m and seemingly extending further in the south. It had a depth of about 25 cm and consisted of a brown-black to reddish, very compact, silty clay, rich in charcoals. The burnt feature was characterized by different colours and textures because of different fire temperatures (). It was evident that this area of the palaeosoil burnt because of a localized and intense fire which must have been live for an extensive time. The purpose of micromorphological sampling of the burnt palaeosoil is to better determine the origin of this layer and to define the burning temperature mostly by the study of mineral inclusions. The sample from the non-burnt palaeosoil will provide information on the pedogenesis processes as well as the local palaeoclimatic conditions. Palaeosoil samples were taken from several depths and other trenches at the site for comparison, radiocarbon dating and sedimentological analyses (magnetic susceptibility, XRF, organic carbon, granulometry).
Fig. 2. WMP Kissonerga Mylouthkia Trench II, paleosoil burnt feature.
In order to understand the regional topography and palaeoenvironment, alluvial sections were chosen for study at nearby rivers terraces, corresponding to the plots under investigation. The sediments collected for further sedimentological analysis in the lab will provide information on the origin of sediments, climatic conditions and river dynamics. Samples for radiocarbon dating and sedimentological analysis will help us to reconstruct the topography and the climatic conditions during the terraces formation and determine elevations where PPN occupation could have taken place. The synthesis and analysis of all collected data will contribute to a diachronic reconstruction of the topography and the environment while the results will be comparable to similar studies completed for other parts of the island and in Eastern Mediterranean.
Surface survey
All of the selected land plots were topographically surveyed and mapped by Dr Shelly Werner (CFA Archaeology), Ross Murray (AOC Archaeology Group) and Andreas Demetriou (Lands and Surveys Department of Cyprus) with a Total Station Leica TS 1200. Grid surface survey has so far taken place in two out of the ten preselected land plots (Plots I and III) It has focused on macro- and micro-lithics collection, in order to avoid selection bias towards the pottery which is easily visible against the white background of the top soil that is rich in limestone. Minimal quantities of material have been collected so far and is currently under study. Revision of the strategy, with the reorganization of different teams of surveyors for different categories of material for the second phase of the project, is expected to minimize bias further, while maximizing material collection.
Geophysics
A detailed gradiometer survey has been undertaken over five plots of land in the wider area of Kissonerga by the project geophysist, Genevieve Shaw using a Bartington Grad 601-2 gradiometer (). The survey parameters are set out in . The survey identified several different types of anomalies that have been interpreted as of archaeological, and possible archaeological, potential.
Fig. 3. WMP magnetometry survey with a Bartington Grad 601-2 gradiometer.
Table 1. Geophysical survey parameters.
Plot I identified a large number of anomalies of possible archaeological interest, in particular a large curvilinear ditch-type response and a number of pit- type anomalies. There is a larger, circular and isolated pit-type response which will be targeted by Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) to investigate its depth and form as to the possibility that it is a well. In the same plot, but in a discrete concentrated area to the north, there are three instances of groups of pits, which could indicate an area of high archaeological potential such as a settlement or domestic site.
Weaker or stronger anomalies were successfully identified in all of the remaining plots. Discrete anomalies were often masked by the presence of ferrous material, assumed to be due to modern development, neighbouring particular plots. In plots with clearer surrounding soil matrix, and therefore better magnetic susceptibility contrast, several archaeologically promising features were identified, such as ditches, pits and areas of positive magnetic responses, probably corresponding to kilns and walls. The GPR survey aims to further clarify these areas of interest, as highlighted by the magnetometry survey results.
Heritage and community engagement
The reception of our community engagement programme by Kissonerga village was exceptional. A short lecture on the PPN Wells of Kissonerga, adapted for the 5th and 6th grade of the local primary school (), ended up lasting for over an hour due to audience questions and has engaged this community into organizing further projects. With the contribution of several materials provided by WMP, students and teachers of the local school continued lessons on the theme of ancient wells and water, its cultural significance and value in the modern island life. They are also organizing a festival within the framework of ‘Paphos 2017, European City of Culture’ to which WMP has been invited to contribute further with lectures and visual material.
Fig. 4. WMP lecture at Kissonerga elementary school.
The preservation and exhibition of previously excavated Wells 116, 133, and 2070, (with the collaboration of the municipality of Kissonerga, the Department of Antiquities of Cyprus and the Kissonerga Skalia excavation project) is being prepared, along with inaugural visits from the local school when the area is safe for visitors.