Larnaca, Cyprus. Copper slag dating to the Late Roman period has been discovered in the Aliki area of Larnaca during archaeological work carried out in 2025, the Department of Antiquities said on Monday. The discovery was made during the Hala Sultan Tekke Hinterland Project.
Hala Sultan Tekke Hinterland Project
The department said the project ran for three weeks in October and November last year around the Late Bronze Age urban centre of Hala Sultan Tekke. Initiated in 2021, the project has been led by the Vrije Universiteit Brussel.
Survey methods and areas studied
Research combined surface surveys with geophysical methods to investigate settlement patterns and land use in the Larnaca Salt Lake area, the department said. Archaeologists documented surface materials across the Salt Lake and in Pyrga, refining site chronology and identifying new areas for study.
Industrial evidence and geophysical investigations
Previous work in Pyrga identified large copper slag heaps, with dense Late Roman material nearby, suggesting a broader industrial landscape linked to metal production. Further investigations in 2024 used ground-penetrating radar in collaboration with the University of Cyprus.
2025 magnetometric survey results
In 2025, the University of Ljubljana and the University of Zurich conducted a magnetometric survey of about 8,000 square metres. The results revealed subsurface anomalies, including linear features and high magnetic intensity zones, some indicating potential metallurgical installations and slag deposits, while others may represent natural geology.
Next steps
The department said the findings enhance understanding of ancient activities in the area and support future excavations.
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