Troodos Archaeological and Environmental Survey Project

Troodos Archaeological and Environmental Survey Project

Michael Given, Vasiliki Kassianidou, A Bernard Knapp, Jay Noller, Luke Sollars, Hugh Corley
The Troodos Archaeological and Environmental Survey Project (TAESP) worked in the northern foothills of the Troodos Mountains in central Cyprus. It was directed by Dr Michael Given and Prof. A. Bernard Knapp (University of Glasgow), Dr Vasiliki Kassianidou (University of Cyprus) and Prof. Jay Noller (Oregon State University). In six seasons of fieldwork between 2000 and 2004 our team collected and analysed a substantial archaeological and geomorphological data set. This encompasses all periods from the Neolithic to the present day, a wide range of topographical and environmental contexts, and a broad spectrum of disciplinary and interdisciplinary expertise.

Aims

The Troodos Archaeological and Environmental Survey Project (TAESP) investigated human activity in the north-central Troodos mountains of Cyprus during all time periods. The core of its methodology consisted of intensive archaeological and geomorphological survey. The survey area includes fertile and well-watered valleys, drier plains, copper-bearing foothills, and the northern part of the Troodos Range itself. Other than some rescue excavation of tombs, no systematic archaeological work had been done in this area. 

Our research focused on the dynamic relationship between human society and the environment. We documented and analysed settlement patterns, land use patterns and communication networks across the landscape at all time periods, and related them to environmental factors such as physical landforms, soils and sediments, vegetation and water. A particular focus was the nature and development of resource exploitation, especially agriculture and metallurgical production. Related themes included the production of pottery and stone tools, forest resources and soil management.
This digital archive was undertaken in conjunction with an electronic publication through the Linking Electronic Archives and Publications (LEAP) project. The corresponding article is 'Joining the Dots: Continuous Survey, Routine Practice and the Interpretation of a Cypriot Landscape (with interactive GIS and integrated data archive)' by Michael Given, Hugh Corley, and Luke Sollars, which can be found in Internet Archaeology 20.

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