New Stamp Issues - Europa 2025 & 75 years since the Foundation of Geological Survey Department

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Europa 2025 – National Archaeological Discoveries
Mosaic Floor Depicting a Hippodrome Scene

The mosaic floor depicting a hippodrome scene was discovered during excavations conducted by the Department of Antiquities of Cyprus near the community of Akaki, Nicosia District. It is part of the floor decoration of a rural villa dating to the 4^th century AD, which was excavated between 2023 and 2024.

The mosaic floor, measuring twenty-six meters in length, illustrates a chariot race unfolding within a hippodrome, which is rendered with great detail. The euripus or spina is clearly depicted, featuring various shrines, columns, obelisks, and sculptures that were used for timekeeping and lap counting during the race.

Four tethrippon (four-horse chariots) participate in the race, shown in four different phases of the competition. Each chariot is accompanied by two names written in Greek: the name of the charioteer and the name of one of the horses, allowing to follow the progression of the race.

The newly discovered mosaic from Akaki is unique in Cyprus and stands out for its exceptional craftsmanship but also because it provides a rare iconographic representation of chariot race during the Roman period.

75 years since the Foundation of Geological Survey Department

The Geological Survey Department was founded in 1950, as a specialized unit of the Department of Lands and Surveys aiming to contribute to the exploration and development of mineral and underground water resources. In 1955, it became an autonomous Department, in 1960, it joined the Ministry of Trade and Industry and later went under the Ministry of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment.

Today, the Geological Survey Department is the competent authority and the technical adviser of the State for all geological matters and its aim is to provide reliable and unbiased geological knowledge and services for the sustainable development of ground water and mineral resources as well as for the protection of the built environment from geohazards and the conservation, and promotion of areas with significant geological and mining heritage. The main challenges that the Department is facing today are the consequences of climate change and the green and digital transition, where through geological mapping, geochemical and geophysical research of the surface and subsurface, the recording of earthquakes and the study of the seismicity of Cyprus, the Department shall propose suggestions and measures to the State and Society.