Cape Drepanum

[Dominic]

It's time for another guest blog from Max. This time, he's been to the edge of the Akamas, to have a look at some of the caves at Cape Drepanum. Over to you, Max...

Almost unknown are the ancient caves above the little Agios Georgios harbour (Peyia district). The normal tourist is either guided to the Greek Church right on the cliff or the little chapel 50 m opposite. More important however are the excavations of 3 churches and a bath from the 6th century.

The necropolis lies at the brow of the cliff with tombs carved into the rock and I believe that it is much older, at least Greek/Roman time.

Read the article and chat about it below...
 

cape_drepanum_fb.jpg (33.82 KiB) Viewed 4826 times

[Yioula]

Fascinating blog Max........I remember the track down to the harbour before the tarmac......I’ve always wondered about those caves........they seem to be more interesting that Tombs if the Kings, a must visit before long ....l,

[Ramone]

Excellent blog Max, I shall be going for a visit as it's just along the road from me. Even though I've been to the harbor quite a few times, I never new they were there.
Thanks for that.

[LouiseCastricum]

Very interesting blog. Thank you Max.

[brengreen]

My favourite beach. Will look into these next time I am over. Thanks for sharing.

[Lofos-5]

Very nice! The features in the "strange rock formation" on page 4 look like cross bedding - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cross-bedding
Most common in clastic sediments but also possible in carbonates as this outcrop/cave likely is. If so, then possibly tidal related.

Have been snorkelling in the bay below many times and noted the caves but was always to lazy to go up and investigate - but will now certainly do before it gets too hot (or at least send the boys up to confirm whether it is sandstone or limestone ).

Thank you Max!

[cyprusmax47]

Very nice! The features in the "strange rock formation" on page 4 look like cross bedding - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cross-bedding
Most common in clastic sediments but also possible in carbonates as this outcrop/cave likely is. If so, then possibly tidal related.

Have been snorkelling in the bay below many times and noted the caves but was always to lazy to go up and investigate - but will now certainly do before it gets too hot (or at least send the boys up to confirm whether it is sandstone or limestone ).

Thank you Max!

These rock formations which are very similar to the ones just 1-2 miles further the coastline towards Lara bay I believe is so called aeolianite which is the name for an old sand dune that has become lithified over the course of geological time. Not to forget that the sea was much lower 12000 years ago.
Perhaps one could have walked to the Geronissos Island then... which led me believe that the caves are much older than people think.

Max

[Lofos-5]

Interesting new information, thank you. Cross-bedding is indeed very common in aeolian deposits, and the climate might well have been drier during depositional time. It could also have been wetter and then these cross beds could have formed in a fluvial (river) setting. The first thing to confirm is whether these are clastic deposits (sandstone) or whether these are largely marine deposits. Looking at the photos again I no longer think they are carbonates - and a drop of diluted HCl that every geologist carries could confirm that in an instant . Aeolian deposits are easy recognisable as the grains are very well rounded and very well sorted (due to the energy it takes to lift a certain weight when the wind blows). I shall have a close look next time there - very intriguing!

[PaphosAL]

Amazing find and photos again thanks, Max!

I've been here in Agios Georgios harbour, above and below, so many times. Yes, I've seen the caves from below, and realized they were ancient burial tombs. I never was brave enough to climb up or down to explore them on my own, as you have. Fair play to you!

I have to agree with you that this location, plus Meletis Forest Necropolis and Geronisos Island beats anything that Tombs of the Kings has to offer!!!

Could I be right in thinking that an avid back-packer, equipped with bed roll, sleeping bag, camping stove and food / water etc, could stay overnight in some of these caves? So long as they are not superstitious or easily frightened, LOL!

AL

[cyprusmax47]

Interesting new information, thank you. Cross-bedding is indeed very common in aeolian deposits, and the climate might well have been drier during depositional time. It could also have been wetter and then these cross beds could have formed in a fluvial (river) setting. The first thing to confirm is whether these are clastic deposits (sandstone) or whether these are largely marine deposits. Looking at the photos again I no longer think they are carbonates - and a drop of diluted HCl that every geologist carries could confirm that in an instant . Aeolian deposits are easy recognisable as the grains are very well rounded and very well sorted (due to the energy it takes to lift a certain weight when the wind blows). I shall have a close look next time there - very intriguing!

As you our Geologist on PL another question which fits perhaps with the above topic.This large bolder I saw on the beach near the ancient Roman harbour from where I took the pics of site #1. It looks to me like the negative of shells. The colour is quite bright and there was only one on the whole beach. Size: ca 70 cm diameter. One cannot see any shells on this large piece, but on other bolder nearby plenty of mixed shells....


Max

[Lofos-5]

I sent you my theory based on the Geological Map of Cyprus via email Max (I think I might have it right this time...) - but it is a bit dangerous to offer a professional opinion based on photographs only.

Geologists touch the rocks, hammer them into small pieces, drop acid on them, and sometimes even lick them (check for salt content) or bite smaller chips (to differentiate silt from sand, i.e. determine grain size).

Geology is not an exact science - we always state that on the one hand it could be this, but on the other hand it could also be that (just like I changed my mind from carbonates to clastic sediments in my post above). The engineers in my industry hate this as for them all is well defined and either yes or no - see pic... (i.e. they cannot cope with a pipeline specification between 5,000bbl/d up to 50,000 bbl/d of flow which reflects the geological uncertainty)

[cyprusmax47]

I sent you my theory based on the Geological Map of Cyprus via email Max (I think I might have it right this time...) - but it is a bit dangerous to offer a professional opinion based on photographs only.

Geologists touch the rocks, hammer them into small pieces, drop acid on them, and sometimes even lick them (check for salt content) or bite smaller chips (to differentiate silt from sand, i.e. determine grain size).

Geology is not an exact science - we always state that on the one hand it could be this, but on the other hand it could also be that (just like I changed my mind from carbonates to clastic sediments in my post above). The engineers in my industry hate this as for them all is well defined and either yes or no - see pic... (i.e. they cannot cope with a pipeline specification between 5,000bbl/d up to 50,000 bbl/d of flow which reflects the geological uncertainty)

This is the giant rock with plenty of shells etc next to it....


Max