Archaeological excavations reveal new findings at Erimi-Pitharka

The Department of Antiquities of Cyprus announced the completion of the 2026 excavation season at the Late Bronze Age site of Erimi-Pitharka in the Limassol district. Conducted from April 20 to May 22, the fieldwork was led by Dr. Laerke Recht of the Moesgaard Museum, supported by an international team of specialists and students. The research was funded by the A.G. Leventis Foundation, the Curtiss T. and Mary G. Brennan Foundation, and the Moesgaard Museum.

The 2026 season revealed that the site’s administrative and production complex extends further than previously documented, with new trenches in Area I/1A uncovering additional rooms and open spaces. Key findings include evidence of wine production, local pottery manufacturing, and textile-related activities. Significant artifacts discovered include an almost complete bull figurine and a group of nearly intact vessels. Erimi-Pitharka dates primarily to the Late Cypriot IIC-IIIA period and is contemporary with other significant Kouris Valley settlements, such as Alassa and Episkopi-Phaneromeni or Episkopi-Bamboula.

Previous excavations had already established the site's importance in regional agricultural processing, including the production of cereals, olive oil, and wine. The latest findings confirm the site’s long-standing role as a central hub for industrial and administrative activities within the region.