Archaeological lecture series launched in Paphos

The Research Centre of the Polish Centre of Mediterranean Archaeology of the University of Warsaw in Cyprus inaugurated a new series of scientific lectures on Friday. According to the Paphos Municipality, the initiative aims to disseminate recent archaeological research findings, focusing on the Hellenistic and Roman periods. Dr. Efstathios Raptou, an archaeological officer at the Department of Antiquities of Cyprus, delivered the inaugural lecture titled 'Lux ex tenebris: Tombs as a source of knowledge for the history and society of ancient Paphos'. During his presentation, Dr. Raptou emphasized that funerary ensembles serve as primary sources for understanding ancient burial practices, religious beliefs, and perceptions of the afterlife. He specifically highlighted how archaeological evidence from the western part of the island documents social and cultural transformations following the end of the ancient kingdoms. The lecture concluded that these findings are essential for reconstructing the social structures and communal relations of ancient Cyprus, while also reflecting on the influence of Hellenism in the region.