EXCAVATIONS at the Lower City of Amathus brought to the surface an inscription on a limestone slab that refers to Emperor Theodosius, pottery, Byzantine and Roman coins, wall painting fragments, inscribed handles of Rhodian amphoras, terracottas and a copper bell, as well as a large amount of stone tools.

The findings were uncovered during the fourteenth season of the new series of excavations in the area conducted by the Department of Antiquities of the Ministry of Communications and Works, which lasted six weeks and were directed by the Director of the Department of Antiquities Dr Pavlos Flourentzos, who was assisted by Kyriacos Kapitanis and Demos Theodorou, both members of the technical staff of the Department of Antiquities.

According to an official press release, since the goal of unifying the area of the ancient Agora with that of the Administrative Building had been accomplished in the past, this year's primary aim was the excavation of the floors within the areas of various building complexes.

There were more interesting results from the excavation of the floors in rooms of the Administrative Building that were located at a higher level. Rooms 18 and 19 were revealed as having been in use as a metalworking workshop during the 4th cent. BC, as well as during the Early Byzantine period. An iron anvil was discovered as well as moulds and other copper objects; room no. 19 was paved.

''The movable finds from this year's excavation period were plentiful with a lot of pottery, Byzantine and Roman coins, wall painting fragments, inscribed handles of Rhodian amphoras, terracottas and a copper bell, as well as a large amount of stone tools. Worthy of mention is an inscription on a limestone slab that refers to Emperor Theodosius,'' the press release notes.