Project Manager
Fischer, PeterProject manager
University of GothenburgAmount granted
1 022 000 SEKYear
2014
Excavations at the Bronze Age site of Hala Sultan Tekke, Cyprus—supported by the Torsten Söderberg Foundation—have yielded exceptional finds from the period 1600–1100 BCE. The findings have attracted significant international attention. The Swedish expedition has been able to present evidence of long-distance connections with southern, central, and northern Europe, including Sweden, the eastern Mediterranean region, Anatolia, the Levant, and Egypt.
Large-scale geophysical surveying using ground-penetrating radar and a magnetometer, as well as a radio-controlled helicopter drone equipped with a camera, led to the discovery of a monumental, 50 x 40-meter building that, due to its size and the width of its walls, was given the working title “palace.” This new discovery makes Hala Sultan Tekke the largest Bronze Age city not only in Cyprus but also in the entire Eastern Mediterranean region. Test excavations in 2014 in the eastern part of the palace verified the geophysical findings: the expedition discovered stone foundation walls and exceptional finds, including figurines of humans/gods and animals. The finds date from the period 1300–1150 BCE.
The project involves advanced archaeological research in connection with the excavation of this palace-like building complex and thereby securing the continued existence of the Swedish Cyprus Expedition during the years 2016–2018.