Filenews 2 July 2022 - by Ioanna Mantzipa
Lovers of the seabed – and not only – are expected to welcome within the next few days the first underwater archaeological park in Cyprus, which is located in ancient Amathus. It is the ancient port of Amathus with the Department of Antiquities in collaboration with the Laboratory of Underwater Archaeological Research (ERENAE) of the University of Cyprus and the Department of Fisheries and Marine Research proceeding from Thursday (30/6) to carry out underwater works in order to highlight the ancient port and consequently to promote the underwater archaeological and natural heritage, through the creation of diving routes.
This unique diving route in the ancient port will have the opportunity to be enjoyed by the citizens who, having only a mask and sandals, will be able to see and be guided to a unique monument in a wonderful natural environment with marine life.
The works for the promotion of the ancient port of Amathus are carried out according to the Archaeological Officer of the Department of Antiquities, Yiannis Violaris, in the framework of the European cross-border program ANDIKAT, which has just been completed, which aimed to promote the underwater archaeological and natural heritage through the creation of diving routes in marine protected areas in Greece and Cyprus. As he explained to "F", the ancient port of Amathus is a unique case not only for Cypriot standards but also more widely for the eastern Mediterranean area. It is a large public port project of antiquity, of which the three piers and the jetties are preserved in very good condition. The visitor can easily reach it from the coast as it is located at a shallow depth (0.80-1.50 m).
Asked about what one will find in the ancient port, Mr. Violaris noted that apart from the piers of the ancient port which are impressive, made of large boulders, the visitor will be able to enjoy the special biodiversity of the sea area, such as the colonies of Posidonia, fish, turtles, etc. "Due to the fact that the ruins of the port are preserved, Posidonia has developed, which is a protected marine plant, very sensitive, which attracts marine life. On this diving route one will be able to enjoy an impressive ancient monument but also the marine natural environment of the monument, which is also protected by modern archaeological legislation.
Sparingly the pruning of Posidonia
Regarding the works that are in progress, Mr. Violaris noted that initially there has been signage,both on land and underwater, that will guide the visitor, a relevant application for smart devices was developed and an informative triptych was issued. At this stage, there is a very limited cut-off of Posidonia in specific parts of the jetties, for their better promotion, while at the same time the sea area and the beach will be cleaned of garbage. The works are carried out manually by a team of divers which consists of 7 people including marine biologists, under the supervision of the Department of Fisheries and the Department of Antiquities. The whole effort is supported in various ways by the Community Council of Agios Tychonas.
He also added that the pruning of Posidonia has been licensed by the national competent scientific committee for protected species, which consists of the Department of Fisheries and the Department of Environment.
The works will last until the beginning of July, while on the 9th of the month the ancient port will officially receive its first visitors in the presence of the Minister of Transport, Communications and Works, Giannis Karousos, who will inaugurate the diving route. On the same day, they will also carry out underwater visits for the public with guidance from members of the collaborating organizations.
A public port project of the 4th century BC.
The port dates back to the Hellenistic period around the end of the 4th century BC. "We are not sure exactly when it began to be built but based on underwater archaeological research carried out in the 80s by the French Archaeological Expedition of Amathus, it seems that it did not have a long life. Then Cyprus was in a field of conflict between the successors of Alexander the Great and changed hands in a short time. It is speculated that Demetrius the Besieger, who owned Cyprus for about 10 years, began to build the port and when Ptolemy regained it, the works did not continue and the basin of the port was either blocked or sealed", noted Mr. Violaris, stating that the surviving architectural remaining includes the three piers of the port and its entrance to the southeast.
The ancient port of Amathus is part of the Marine Protected Area of Amathus, declared by the Department of Fisheries, while no breakwaters have been built in this area, as the ancient port will be directly affected. Thus, it is one of the few areas where both the terrestrial and the marine anthropogenic and natural environment are preserved as it was in antiquity and certainly before modern development irrevocably altered it, as was done in the immediate environment of Amathus.
