By Evie Andreou
THREE burial chambers estimated to be from the late Hellenistic period were accidentally discovered on Tuesday afternoon in a plot in Ayios Silas in Limassol.
The tomb came to light when during landscaping works, an excavator hit the roof of a cave which collapsed and revealed skeletal remains, amphorae and coins.
The Antiquities Department was notified by the police.
So far, amphorae, seven skeletal remains and other small items were found. According to Yiannis Violaris, archaeologist of the Antiquities Department’s Limassol District, the tomb is estimated to be from the late Hellenistic period, between the second and first centuries BC, while modern day items which were found in the tomb are attributed to a probable older collapse of the roof.
“Archaeologically, it is a very interesting area,” said Violaris, adding that there are several ancient monuments in the area and that there might be some connection to the tomb.
“Northernmost where the church of Ayios Georgios of Viklios is today, there used to be an older temple and the Antiquities Department also found an ancient temple there, while nearby are the ruins of the Ayios Silas Monastery,” said Violaris.
It will take approximately two to three days for the removal of all the findings from the site.