Tombs of the Kings

Located on the outskirts of the main Cypriot town of Paphos is the vast rock-cut necropolis (burial complex) commonly known as the "Tombs of the Kings." It is currently believed that they date back to circa the 3rd century BC and were the tombs of the wealthy and powerful citizens of the Paphitic community of the time (Ptolemaic?). Although they are referred to as the "Tombs of the Kings", no royal burial chamber has yet been discovered and the name derives from the magnificence of the complex. Listed as a World heritage Site, the Tombs of the Kings were first seriously excavated in the late 1970's and 1980's by Dr Sophocles Hadjisavvas. The tombs were later used by early Christians and some of the finds clearly date to the Hellenic period. Although the site had been systematically robbed over the centuries, archaeologists have still managed to discover several undisturbed tombs that have yielded valuable grave-goods that are being used to piece together a clearer picture of this remarkable location. All photographs were taken during an Aquiziam field trip to the site in 2009 and can be enlarged. Welcome to these ancient tombs!

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