Archaeologists excavating the ancient site of Pyla-Vigla in Cyprus have revealed new evidence of a military settlement from the early Hellenistic period. The site, perched on a steep hill overlooking Larnaca Bay, has long been recognized for its strategic position and military character.
The 2025 field season, conducted by the Pyla-Koutsopetria Archaeological Project (PKAP), focused on the central area of the settlement where rooms from at least four buildings were uncovered. The work was directed by Dr. Brandon R. Olson of Metropolitan State University of Denver, Dr. Melanie Godsey of Trinity University, and Dr. Tom Landvatter of Reed College.
A fortified stronghold with Greek influence
Findings from recent seasons show that Pyla-Vigla was built and occupied during the late 4th and early 3rd centuries BC, a time when Cyprus came under Hellenistic control following the expansion of Alexander the Great’s empire.
Archaeologists have identified defensive walls, arrowheads, lead sling bullets, and traces of local weapon production, all pointing to the site’s military purpose.
Pottery, coins, and architectural remains further support its dating to the early Hellenistic period. Researchers say the site reflects the Greek-influenced defensive settlements established across the eastern Mediterranean to safeguard coastal regions and trade routes.
Excavating daily life on the hilltop
Excavations in 2025 uncovered several adjoining structures that give a clearer picture of daily life within this fortified community. The largest building, a long rectangular structure along the northern section of the trenches, contained a series of rectangular rooms later divided by cross walls during a later occupation phase.
To the south, a paved alleyway separated another building with a similar layout that extended eastward. To the west, archaeologists found a large hall supported by a central row of stone pillars. Another trench to the east revealed the foundations of a structure with a different orientation, suggesting variations in construction and use.
Domestic routines and production activity
Artifacts from the rooms included cooking pots, tableware, utility vessels, and metal tools, showing that residents cooked, ate, and carried out personal grooming in these spaces. Plastered installations, drainage channels, stone basins, and numerous transport amphorae indicate that some rooms were used for storage or small-scale industrial activity.
A settlement of defense and habitation
The discovery of bronze, lead, and iron weapons once again confirmed the settlement’s military function. Archaeologists believe Pyla-Vigla combined defensive operations with everyday domestic life. The site’s design and material culture match Hellenistic patterns seen across other Greek-influenced fortified settlements.
The Department of Antiquities of the Deputy Ministry of Culture of Cyprus said the findings from the 2025 season add to ongoing research into how such communities operated under Hellenistic rule. Further analysis of the artifacts and architectural remains will continue to refine the understanding of Pyla-Vigla’s role in the wider defensive network of ancient Cyprus.
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