NICOSIA, Aug. 10 (Xinhua) -- Archaeologists have unearthed more evidence relating to a monster earthquake that obliterated Kourion (Curium), one of Cyprus's most important city-kingdoms in antiquity, according to a recent report by the Department of Antiquities.

The report was released to mark the completion of the 2024 final excavation season of the Kourion Urban Space Project.

In the ruins of a housing complex, which seemed to belong to a well-off family, archaeologists found the remains of four people who were clothed and wearing their personal jewelry, along with lamps, a possible purse and keys, said the report.

These items "may indicate that the earthquake struck in the evening before Kourion had gone to sleep for the night or in the early morning just as they were preparing for their day," the report said.

The house complex excavated was next to the so-called Earthquake House, in which the remains of a mother, a father and their infant child were found in a previous excavation, huddled together as they sought protection in the frame of a door.

Kourion, founded by Mycenaeans in the 12th century BC, was built on the slopes of a hill overlooking the Mediterranean in the southern part of Cyprus. It was destroyed by a series of quakes between 365 AD and 370 AD.

In one of the rooms, archaeologists found an 80-cm-high statue of Artemis, the goddess of hunting and twin sister of Apollo, god of the sun, according to Greek mythology.

Artemis wears a billowing tunic tied at the waist and strappy sandals. Her right arm reaches over her shoulder for a quiver of arrows while her left arm holds her bow. She is accompanied by a dog crouching at her left knee.

Traces of red paint are visible on Artemis' lip suggesting the statue was painted in vibrant colors when it was displayed in this room.

The report noted that it is apparent that the upper half of the bow between the left shoulder and the left hand of this statue was broken in three places in antiquity and mended using iron dowels and lead sheets. Enditem

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