Agios Georgios Hill, Nicosia
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Agios Georgios Hill is an archaeological site in Nicosia, Cyprus. The site is rich and complex, spanning almost the entire history of Nicosia from the Chalcolithic through the Byzantine and Lusignan periods. The surveyed archaeological area is about 650 m2, the whole area measuring 49500 m2. The hill is adjacent to the Ministry of Interior (Cyprus) and the Ministry of Finance. A small chapel of St George the Healer (Άγιος Γεώργιος Θεραπευτής) stands on the eastern edge of the excavated area.
Excavation in the north part of the archaeological site started fortuitously in 1996 as a rescue operation after the old building of the Pancyprian Public Servants' Trade Union was demolished to make way for the construction of the House of Representatives.[1] The trade union acronym (PA.SY.D.Y) is often used in the listing of the site. Campaigns of excavation have continued on a regular basis since the discovery. The technique used over much of the site was the Wheeler–Kenyon method of Mortimer Wheeler, with each excavated square measuring 4×4 m.[2]
Findings
Hellenistic period
A rich series of finds have been found at Agios Georgios, most notably from Hellenistic times[3] A hoard of silver coins of the 5th century BCE, the oldest discovered in Cyprus at the time of find in 2006, contributes to the history of Nicosia and indirectly confirms the location of Ledra, one of the independent city-kingdoms that is traditionally located in Nicosia.[4]
Byzantine and Lusignan periods
The succession of three medieval churches have been excavated and reported by Despina Pilides.[5] Remains of carved mouldings in the Gothic style, and vaulted chambers of finely cut ashlar, show the church was rebuilt in the circa 14th century. Tassos Papacostas has suggested this may be the church of Saint George of Mangana.[6]
