Fluid Ethnoarchaeology: A Study of British-Era Water Fountains in Athienou, Cyprus

Summary

The Athienou Archaeological Project (AAP) has conducted excavation and survey work in Cyprus since 1990. Ethnoarchaeological and ethnographic research have accompanied the other field investigations to create a holistic examination of the community situated at the southern end of the Mesaoria, a fertile agricultural plain in the central part of the island. The semi-arid summer climate makes access to water a major concern of the residents of Athienou. A number of public fountains scattered throughout the town are a remnant of the British colonial presence in the 20th century. In the summer of 2016, an AAP team recorded all of the extant fountains. Most of the water stations occur on a heritage corridor along which the municipality, with assistance from the national government, has restored a number of traditional structures. The fountains and the buildings together reflect an effort to preserve elements of past village life that are rapidly disappearing. In addition, the fountains are a modern example of the age-old effort to provide sufficient water in the region; in the Malloura Valley south of Athienou, this aspect is reflected in a qanat system of underground channels cut through bedrock to provide water for people, livestock, and irrigation of crops.

This Resource is Part of the Following Collections

• Society for American Archaeology 82nd Annual Meeting, Vancouver, BC (2017)

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Record Identifiers

Abstract Id(s): 17526