Archaeologists discover Late Bronze Age fortification in Cyprus

Archaeologists have identified the first known Late Bronze Age fortification system at the ancient site of Palaepaphos, located near Kouklia, Cyprus. The discovery was made during excavations at a site called Marchello by a team from the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens (NKUA).

The findings include a rectangular bastion and a tower that was later expanded through a three-sided extension, creating a nearly square structure measuring approximately 7.4 by 7.3 meters. Evidence from pottery found in undisturbed layers suggests the rampart dates back to the Late Cypriot IIC-IIIA period, near the end of the Late Bronze Age.

Researchers also identified a layer of marl, a clay-rich soil, used by ancient builders to create a level base for mudbrick walls atop stone foundations. This discovery provides new insights into the defensive architecture, military strategies, and urban planning of ancient societies in the Eastern Mediterranean.