Kalavasos-Ayios Dhimitrios, Cyprus – Excavating next to Building X

This summer, through a generous grant from the AIA-New York Society, I have the honor of participating in the University of British Columbia’s excavations at the Late Bronze Age urban site of Kalavasos-Ayios Dhimitrios in Cyprus. The site is located on the southern coast of the island, in the Vasilikos River valley. Alison South conducted the initial excavations from 1979-1998, and Kevin D. Fisher currently leads the project. The 2023 season at Ayios Dhimitrios is split into two components: the first is to excavate a new unit to expose more of the road and flanking buildings leading up to the monumental Building X. The second component (where I am working primarily and pictured here) is to reach the floor level of a previously excavated room in a building to the southwest of Building X and its surrounding structures. As you can see, a lot is going on in this space! 

Though I was born in New York, my family lives in a neighboring village to Kalavasos, Asgata. It has been a wonderful experience staying with them and commuting to the site every morning through the winding roads of the Troodos Mountains foothills. I have deepfelt connections to this region of Cyprus and its history, and I am elated to be part of this project. Stay tuned for more progress shots and updates from both trenches in the coming days. Cheers from sunny Cyprus!