‘Despite this find being one of the most remarkable discoveries in the history of the island, the colonial authorities struck a deal with the Swedish archaeologists’

It began with a theft.  

The theft itself wasn’t unusual – Cyprus is all too used to its artefacts being plundered. In our time, we’ve lost the Kanakaria mosaics, the Antiphonitis Church frescoes and countless icons and artefacts to smugglers.

But what was particularly unusual about this incident was its sheer scale: 1,500 priceless artefacts taken from the land in which they had stood for almost 3,000 years, spirited far from the culture that gave them life.

This is the story of how what is possibly Cyprus’ greatest archaeological discovery was unearthed, stolen, and fragmented. And how, nearly a century later, a determined campaign is fighting to reunite the treasures with their rightful home…

In 1929, in the small village of Ayia Eirini on Morphou Bay, a local priest stumbled upon looters digging in his field. Looters were a common scourge at the time: political instability and a lack of oversight meant treasures could easily be sold to the highest bidder.

But this was no ordinary discovery – although the looters had only uncovered a few fragments, it was clear this was a site of immense historical value. The fragments, part of ancient terracotta statues, hinted at a far greater treasure buried beneath the ground.

Fortunately, the priest put an immediate stop to the proceedings, and took one of the stolen terracotta statues to the museum in Nicosia. Unfortunately, it sparked instant interest from the Swedish Cyprus Expedition – an archaeological team that had been conducting extensive excavations across Cyprus since 1927.

Three terracotta bulls from Ayia Eirini now at Medelhavsmuseet, Stockholm Photo Ove Kaneberg

The expedition swung into action, and by late 1929, hordes of archaeologists were hard at work, unearthing figure after figure.

“This wasn’t just an ordinary find,” says Rhomaios, taking up the story. “Over a period of 700 years, 2,000 terracotta figures had been meticulously arranged in semicircles – life-sized warriors, priests, animals and smaller votive offerings. Together, they told the story of a sanctuary that stood as a centre of worship and devotion for centuries.”

A passionate advocate for cultural heritage, and a frequent presence on reddit’s r/cyprus, Rhomaios – a pseudonym chosen to keep the focus on Cyprus rather than himself – is a local PhD student. Well-informed, well-spoken and determined, he’s become a leading voice in the fight to repatriate this cultural treasure trove of terracotta figures…

“Despite this find being one of the most remarkable discoveries in the history of our island, the then-colonial authorities struck a deal with the Swedish archaeologists,” he continues. “Without consulting the Cypriot people to whom this cultural treasure belonged, the Swedish team took 1,500 of the figurines, statues and other pieces from the site!”

Today, just one quarter of the treasures remain on our island, housed in the Cyprus Museum. The remaining three-quarters are in the Stockholm Medelhavsmuseet, along with numerous other Cypriot treasures.

Just one of the Cyprus Exhibitions at Medelhavsmuseet

It is, says Rhomaios, a travesty.

“Everyone knows the Tombs of the Kings – there’d be uproar if they were suddenly ‘taken’ by another nation! And yet they’re actually banal in comparison. In its own way, this find was akin to the Chinese Terracotta Army; and there’s simply nothing else like it in Cyprus – or in most countries!”

Unlike the Tombs, however, most people have never heard of Cyprus’ ‘Terracotta Army’.

“Part of the problem lies in the sanctuary’s obscurity,” Rhomaios explains. “This is a site buried not just in history but in a lack of public and political attention. Its location in the occupied areas complicates matters. And politicians? They won’t touch it. This isn’t an issue that wins elections or passes bills.”

Efforts have been made to address the issue: the Cyprus University of Technology (Tepak), with the cooperation of the Swedish museum, has been digitising the Cypriot antiquities housed in the Medelhavsmuseet. However, Rhomaios is now offering the public a more direct push for action. He’s launched a petition….

His online petition asks for Cyprus’ Terracotta Army to be reunited; for all figurines to be returned to the land from whence they came.

From the excavations of the Swedish Cyprus Expedition Photo John Lindros

Already, hundreds of people around the world have signed in support, adding their voices to the growing call for justice; raising awareness of the cultural and historical significance of the Army, and the importance of restoring it to its rightful home.

“This isn’t just about artefacts,” says Rhomaios. “It’s about our identity as Cypriots. It’s about justice. It’s about righting a colonial wrong that persisted for far too long. And it’s also a decision that makes archaeological sense: these incredible figures, added over centuries as the cult evolved, lose their meaning when split. It’s like cutting a tree vertically rather than horizontally,” he explains. “Fragmentation diminishes their historical value.”

Working together, leveraging public support, he hopes that change can be achieved; that the Army can once more be reunited in Cyprus.

“I’m not a hopeless idealist,” Rhomaios smiles. “I’m not here to make demands or point fingers. But I do believe that a lack of awareness and a lasting apathy – especially among the island’s authorities – have allowed this issue to persist for far too long.  

“These artefacts weren’t removed to protect them,” he continues. “They weren’t taken with care or respect for their history. Instead, they were taken for personal gain, severed from the culture that gave them life.

“There is,” he adds, “a Cypriot saying: ‘Do the good and throw it in the ocean’. It means do good because it’s the right thing, not because you expect results. And for me, that’s what matters.

“This is a story that began thousands of years ago with a sanctuary, a people and their devotion. It was disrupted – like so much of our island’s history – by greed and division. But it doesn’t have to end that way. By raising awareness, by trying, maybe we can rewrite the ending to this tale.

“I’m not the first nor the last person who will be involved in this,” he concludes. “There is willingness on both sides to take steps. So maybe, just maybe, this story can end back where it began – with the Terracotta Army of Cyprus reunited with the land and the people who gave them life.”