Avlona-Alonia: A New Extra-Urban Sanctuary in Northwest Cyprus

Abstract

This study presents the initial examination of a recently discovered sanctuary at Alonia, situated in Northwest Cyprus. Unearthed during a rescue excavation in 2014, the site reveals diverse artifacts, including votive figurines, statues, and various architectural elements, primarily from the Cypro-Archaic to early Roman periods. The sanctuary’s architecture and its strategic location on fertile land align with characteristics of extra-urban Cypriot sanctuaries, therefore offering insights into the socio-religious landscape of ancient Cyprus. Analysis of the artifact corpus highlights the shifts in the sanctuary’s votive practices, suggesting transitions from elite ideological displays to more localized ritual activities that were eventually repurposed in the Roman era for secular functions. This paper underscores Alonia’s role in regional religious practices and hints at broader political and social dynamics across Cypriot sanctuaries, thus paving the way for future investigations into its architectural and ritualistic evolution.