The Department of Antiquities recently proceeded with the placement of information signs at the Hellenistic-Roman period tomb on the Protaras pedestrian street, near Fig Tree Bay beach (called the "Queen's Tomb").
The plaque includes detailed text of the excavation and the findings, as well as images of the offerings.
Tomb of the Hellenistic-Roman Period (3rd century BC – 4th century AD)
In 2010, during the construction of the Protaras seaside promenade, an ancient tomb full of offerings was discovered at this spot. It was one of many tombs that existed in the Protaras area, but the only one that was found intact.
The tomb is an underground chamber, which one entered by descending nine steps of a long, narrow passage carved into the natural rock. Three platforms, to the right, left and in front of the entrance, created a continuous flat surface, on which the dead were deposited. At the bottom of each of these platforms, an elongated case 2-2,5 meters long opens for additional burials. The central space of the chamber was occupied by three clay sarcophagi, while a fourth was found in a long, narrow case to the left of the entrance. Human bones and offerings were found inside the sarcophagi. One of the sarcophagi was decorated with red plants, perhaps garlands. Similar clay sarcophagi are used in other areas of Cyprus (mainly in locations on the northern and eastern coasts of the island) and the Eastern Mediterranean (such as in Palestine, Syria, Phoenicia and Cilicia). Wooden sarcophagi, of which only pieces of wood and bronze nails have been preserved, seem to have been present on the platforms.
The dead were accompanied by clay vessels in the style of the Hellenistic period (3rd-1st century BC), seals and jars, in which food and drinks were placed to accompany them on their long journey. The presence of small alabaster perfumes testifies that the funerary rites included the use of perfumed oil. The jewelry worn by the dead includes gold earrings as well as bracelets with glass and faience beads. The only clay figurine found in the Protaras tomb depicts a man dancing with his hands above his head. He wears Persian-style clothing. It has been suggested that figurines of this type may have represented the god Attis, companion of the goddess Cybele.
Glass perfume bottles and other glass vessels for drinking and eating are dated to the Roman period, as are the clay sarcophagi. Therefore, we conclude that some of the burials date to the period from the 2nd-4th century AD.
