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The Archaeological Research Unit forms part
of the Faculty of Letters and functions within the Department
of History and Archaeology. The Unit covers all the archaeological
activity of the Department that concerns Cyprus and is responsible
for the relevant or related postgraduate courses. It offers
a full study programme for the undergraduates of the Department,
as well as elective courses for students of other Departments
(see courses of the Department of History and Archaeology).
These include courses that cover all aspects of Cypriot
Archaeology, examined in relation to the cultures of neighbouring
regions, which are taught by members of the Unit.
One of the main aims of the Unit is to bring
the students in direct contact with the ancient monuments
and the ancient artefacts, which are exhibited in museums
and private collections, as well as with the folk culture
of Cyprus. For this reason, excursions are organized to
archaeological sites of all periods, as well as to Museums,
traditional settlements and houses in the urban centres
of the island. Furthermore, the courses on Environmental
Archaeology include visits to the mining areas as well as
to –the modern pottery workshops of Kornos where the students
can see the survival of ancient technology into modern times.
ARCHIVE OF PHOTOGRAPHS
In order to preserve and promote the cultural heritage
of Cyprus, the Archaeological Research Unit, in collaboration
with the Department of Antiquities and the A.G. Leventis
Foundation, has started photographing the monuments and
archaeological sites of Paphos, as well as the objects in
the Paphos District Museum, for the formation of an archive
which, as planned, will eventually cover the cultural heritage
of the whole island.
The Archaeological Research Unit also houses
the photographic archive of Joan du Plat Taylor relating
to Cyprus.
COLLECTIONS
A Centre for Environmental Archaeology has been
established in the Unit, housing a variety of reference
collections relating to the environment and natural resources
of ancient Cyprus. The collections include samples of the
local fauna and flora as well as geological samples of ores
and minerals. The collections have been formed with the
help of independent specialists and specialists from the
relevant Governmental Departments. Furthermore, Prof. U.
Zwicker of the University of Erlangen (Germany) has donated
to the Unit his personal collection of more than 2000 archaeometallurgical
samples from Cyprus.
The collections are in the service of research
students and other scholars who are working on the archaeology
of Cyprus. They are also used for the teaching of the courses
of Environmental Archaeology and Archaeometry. The Centre
has microscopes and other specialized equipment, for the
preparation of samples necessary for the study of these
collections and other archaeological material.
Finally, the Unit houses and exhibits the
archaeological collection of the old Paedagogical Institute.
This includes ancient Cypriot ceramics, metal and stone
artifacts of various periods. The collection has been enriched
with objects donated by various individuals.
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