Tombs of the Kings

About

The Tombs of the Kings (Greek: Τάφοι των Βασιλέων [ˈtafi ton vasiˈleon], Turkish: Kral Mezarları) is a large necropolis about 2 kilometres (1.2 mi) north of Paphos harbour in Cyprus. In 1980, it was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site along with Paphos and Kouklia. The underground tombs, many of which date back to the 4th century BC, are carved out of solid rock, and are thought to have been the burial sites of Paphian aristocrats and high officials up to the 3rd century AD (the name comes from the magnificence of the tombs; no kings were buried here).

Some of the tombs feature Doric columns and frescoed walls. Archaeological excavations are still being carried out at the site. The tombs are cut into the native rock, and at times imitated the houses of the living.

The tombs have been known and casually explored for centuries. The oldest modern account was written by Richard Pockocke, in 1783. Almost a century later, in 1870 the first archaeological excavations were conducted by Luigi Palma di Cesnola, the American consul to Cyprus.

In 1915 the first excavations under scientific supervision took place, led by Menelaos Markides, the curator of the Cyprus Museum. Systematic excavations...