Archaeologist Ian A. Todd, one of the most influential figures in the study of Cyprus' prehistory, has died, leaving behind a body of work that significantly advanced modern understanding of the island's ancient past.
The death was announced by the Archaeological Research Unit of the University of Cyprus, which paid tribute to his longstanding contribution to archaeological scholarship.
Todd founded and directed the Vasilikos Valley Project in 1976, leading major excavations at some of the most important archaeological sites in the Vasilikos Valley.
Among them were the Pre-Pottery Neolithic settlement of Kalavasos-Tenta and, in collaboration with Alison South, the important Late Bronze Age settlement of Kalavasos-Ayios Dhimitrios.
Nine millennia of human history
The extensive programme of excavations and field surveys conducted by Todd in the Vasilikos Valley became a landmark for Cypriot archaeology.
His work documented approximately 9,000 years of human presence, spanning from the Neolithic period through to the Roman era.
According to the Archaeological Research Unit, his scholarly legacy endures through the archaeological sites that remain open to the public, his publications and the many colleagues and students who worked alongside him throughout his career.
Recognition of his contribution
In 2023, Todd's contribution to archaeology was recognised with the publication of the commemorative volume Prehistoric Anatolia and Cyprus: Studies in Honour of Ian A. Todd.
The volume was produced in recognition of his significant role in advancing archaeological research in Cyprus and the eastern Mediterranean.
Tributes
The Archaeological Research Unit of the University of Cyprus extended its condolences to his wife, Alison South-Todd, as well as to his colleagues, former students and collaborators.
The unit said Todd's contribution to the discipline would continue to inspire future generations of archaeologists.
