2,000-year-old coffins found on Cyprus

An archaeologist cleans a clay coffin estimated to be some 2,000 years old in Protaras, Cyprus, after work crews in the coastal resort accidentally unearthed four rare sarcophaguses.

By The Newsroom

Published 19th May 2010, 23:37 BST

Updated 19th May 2010, 23:43 BST

The director of the country's antiquities department, Maria Hadjicosti, said they were adorned with floral patterns date from the east Mediterranean island's Hellenistic to early Roman periods, between 300BC and 100AD.

The coffins were dug up this week from what is believed to be an ancient cemetery.

Ms Hadjicosti said similar coffins dating from the same period had been discovered. Two are on display in the capital's Archaeological Museum, while three others remain in storage there. But the latest find is significant because the coffins were untouched by grave robbers.

"The undisturbed coffins will help us add to our knowledge and understanding of that period of Cyprus history," Ms Hadjicosti said.

She said other items found at the site included human skeletal remains, glass vessels and terracotta urns.

Cyprus