Ground Penetrating Radar Survey of the UNESCO Painted Churches in the Troodos Region (Cyprus)

Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) surveys of the UNESCO-listed Painted Churches in Cyprus's Troodos region have uncovered preliminary evidence of buried monastic complexes and surrounding buildings, shedding light on lost architectural structures that once accompanied these 11th to 16th-century churches. The study, part of the IH-AT project, employed non-destructive techniques (NDT), including geophysical surveys, topographic mapping, 3D modeling, and art-historical analysis, to investigate subsurface features without excavation. While findings are still preliminary, they suggest the presence of buried structures that could significantly alter our understanding of these World Heritage Sites' historical context. Future excavations may validate these discoveries, offering new insights into the monastic life and urban planning of medieval Cyprus.

Mitchell, W. L., Abate, D., Colls, K. S., Faka, M., Sturdy Colls, C., & Bakirtzis, N. (2022). Ground Penetrating Radar Survey of the UNESCO Painted Churches in the Troodos Region (Cyprus). Heritage, 5(1), 260–285. https://doi.org/10.3390/heritage5010014