Abstract:
The main purpose of our expedition was to study methochions of Gialia/
Galia monastery. Accordingly, we have studied two churches – one the
Church of St. George of Alaminos and the other – also the Church of St.
George in Saphtades.
The ruins of St. George Church in Alaminos (14th-16th cc) are situated
in the southern part of Cyprus; Walls and floor were damaged and covered
by mortar and marble stone, which were used also as grave walls; the interior
of the church was covered by a wall painting, in altar, apse stood the
church table based on a cylindrical column. Graves of the 14th-16th cc were situated around and inside of the St. George Church.
Archaeological excavations on the Cyprus Island, in the village Sophtades,
were carried out in 2017-19, within the grant of Shota Rustaveli national
science Foundation (Code of the project- HE-17 43).
Sophtades Church is located 14 km S-E from Alaminos Church, on the
top of a small hill.
Archaeological excavations over three seasons have revealed a threenave
basilica built in the sixth century and rebuilt several times. The last
stage of the Church’s existence in the 14th and 15th centuries corresponds
to the activity of Georgian clergy here. In addition to Byzantine artifacts
(clay and glass vessels, coins), Cypriot-geometric pottery has also been
found.