Excavations at Salamis

In 1952, archaeologist Vassos Karageorghis was asked by the Department of Antiquities in Nicosia to excavate at Salamis. As the newly appointed Assistant Curator of the Cyprus Museum, the 23-year-old Karageorghis began work in September of 1952 with a budget of 800 pounds. The excavations would last 22 years until the Turkish Invasion in 1974 and yielded a bounty of treasures and buildings, long hidden by sand and time. With the hired help of the local villagers, Karageorghis was able to excavate the Roman Gymnasium, the Christian Public Baths, the Theatre and the Necropolis. Most of the workers were women as they were cheaper to hire than the men. It was difficult and exhausting work and many workers struggled to copy with the arduous task of shifting sand in metal wheelbarrows in the fierce summer heat. Although Karageorghis was born and raised in the nearby village of Trikomo only 12 kilometers from Salamis, he did not visit the site until he was 16 years old when he went on a school excursion with the Pancyprian Gymnasium from Nicosia. It was here when the young Karageorghis learnt about the glory of Salamis and its kings Onesilos and Evagoras, who waged war against the Persians. Salamis flourished for almost 15 centuries from the 11th century B.C. until the 7th century A.D. when the Arab invaders torched and destroyed the ancient city. For centuries thereafter, squatters lived amongst its ruins, attracted by the construction materials provided by the ruined public buildings. In fact, many of these materials such as the polished white stone, were used to construct the churches and walls of Famagusta. The plunder of Salamis continued until the middle of the 20th century. Looting in the necropolis of Salamis was commonplace thanks to the famous tomb robbers, the Cesnola brothers and their merry men. Aided by local villagers from Enkomi and Ayios Serghios, their desecrated and despoiled hundreds of tombs. The site of Salamis was rediscovered during the early years of the British occupation and extensive excavations were carried out during 1890 and 1891. Salamis soon became a popular and romantic site for the citizens of Famagusta who would picnic there or would venture amongst the ruins looking for snails after the first rains, mushrooms in early winter and asparagus in early spring. It was always known by its ancient name of Salamina. The photos shown here are from the aptly titled book “Excavating at Salamis in Cyprus (1952 – 1974) written and published by Vassos Karageorghis.