Cyprus Archaeology

The island of Cyprus at the eastern end of the Mediterranean Sea has a rich and varied archaeological heritage reflecting its unique position as a crossroads for some of the great civilisations of the world. The island could be seen from the Levantine and Anatolian coasts but would need great personal effort and hardship to be 'colonised'. The cultures that did develop on Cyprus through time quickly formed the unique cultural identities that so often occur on islands when there is a barrier to communication. They found their own path as they were shaped by the geology, geography, flora, fauna and simply 'Cyprusness' of their surroundings. During prehistory the island was influenced by the Pharaohs of Egypt to the south, the Mesopotamian kingdoms to the east, the Hittite empire to the north and the Minoan and Mycenaean cultures of the west. It is this unique fusion of cultures and influences that is one of the great joys of Cypriot archaeology.

If you are interested in unique pieces of art and the first flourishing of complex societies on Cyprus then look no further than the Chalcolithic period ca. 3900-2500 BCE. The name chalcolithic refers to copper artefacts which first make their appearance alongside stone implements.

Living took place in roundhouses which show some evidence of subdivision into zones of activity. Burial of the dead seems to be a key rite in their culture and graves can contain beautiful stone figurines and pendants made from a local stone called picrolite The figure to the right is a famous example which is shown wearing a pendant.

The University of Edinburgh have conducted experiments at the site of Lemba Lakkous to rebuild some of these roundhouses. The Lemba Experimental Village (6km north of Paphos) is open to the public nearly all year round.