Cyprus temple laser scans reveal 23 unknown ship carvings

High-resolution laser scans conducted in 2024 have revealed 23 previously unknown ship carvings at the Kition Kathari archaeological site in Cyprus. The digital survey, which produced detailed 3D records of temple masonry, allowed researchers to identify shallow lines on worn stone that had been obscured by years of erosion.

The discovery has led to a re-evaluation of 43 ship graffiti found at the site. While previous studies categorized the carvings as belonging strictly to the Late Bronze Age, the new findings suggest a much broader timeline, spanning from the Late Bronze Age into the Early Iron Age.

Researchers identified six main types of vessels, with ship forms indicating connections to Levantine and Aegean shipbuilding traditions. One specific carving was found on a repair block added to the temple approximately 150 years after the original construction, demonstrating that the practice of carving ship imagery continued long after the initial building phase.