BRIEF HISTORICAL SURVEY OF CYPRUS
Though no paleolithic settlements have, so far, been unearthed in Cyprus, nevertheless the Neolithic period (8200 – 3900 B.C.) is adequately represented. The main neolithic settlements unearthed in Choirokoitia and Kalavasos (Tenta) (Larnaka district), revealed circular huts with corridors in between, inhabited by early Cypriots, mainly engaged in farming, animal raising and hunting. A similar settlement at Gkreko (Famagusta), located by the coast, most probably witnesses its dependence on fishing. Other neolithic settlements were unearthed at Petra tou Limniti and Kataliontas in Nicosia district and at Frenaros in the Famagusta district, while at the locality of “Agios Mamas” (Androlikou, Pafos), a neolithic settlement has been located. (In this survey particular emphasis is laid on the settlements lying in the free part of Cyprus which are accessible to the visitors). Sotira, in Limassol district, belongs to the Neolithic II period (4500-3900 B.C.), well known for its “combed ware” pottery.
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Steatite idol of the chalcolithic period (3900-2500 B.C.) (Photo, courtesy of the Dept. of Antiquities
The Chalcolithic period (3900-2500 B.C.) is the precursor of copper discovery and the transitional stage from stone to copper. Among the chalcolithic settlements are those unearthed in Erimi (Limassol district) and Lempa, Kisonerga and Souskiou (Pafos district). Copper chisels from Lempa and Erimi, a copper spiral from Souskiou and a copper hook from Kisonerga justify the name “chalcolithic”, which means stone-copper age.
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The Bronze Age (2500 – 1050 B.C.), subdivided into early (2500-1900 B.C.), middle (1900-1650 B.C.) and late bronze age (1650-1050 B.C.), is adequately represented. During the early bronze age, Nicosia (Agia Paraskevi), Marki and Kotsiatis, in Nicosia district, are inhabited. In the Pafos district cemeteries of the early bronze age were located at Kisonerga and Gialia. The middle bronze age, a period of uncertainty , is represented by settlements such as Agios Sozomenos and Alampra in Nicosia district, while at Pafos the extensive cemetery of Pano Arodes
belongs to this period too. Episkopi in Limassol and Hala Sultan Tekke in Larnaka are a few more middle bronze age settlements. The late bronze age is represented by Sotira, Limassol, Alassa, Avdimou in the Limassol district, Agios Dimitrios (Kalavasos), Maroni, Dromolaxia and Pyla in Larnaka district, and Palaepafos and Maa in Pafos district. It is, however, during this period that significant centers of copper production and copper trade developed at various places among which ancient Kitium and Hala Sultan Tekke. The late bronze age coincides with the arrival of the Myceneans (14th century B.C.). It is during this period that the Cypriot kingdoms were founded by heroes of the Trojan War. Such kingdoms were Soloi (most probably the successor of Aipeia), Chytroi (Kythrea), Idalio (Dali), Kourio, Golgoi (Athienou), Salamis, Kyrenia, Lapithos, Pafos, etc. Some kingdoms, like Soloi and Tamassos, controlled significant ancient mines around their administrative areas and no doubt were rich. Above all, the presence of the Myceneans (Achaeans) in Cyprus is associated with the Hellenization of the island. The Achaeans introduced to Cyprus a language, place names, institutions and cults. The late bronze age, in general, is particularly a tranquil and prosperous period with considerable copper trade being carried out with other countries and with Cypriot pottery and other forms of art being developed significantly.
The Iron Age, a significant era, starting about 1050 B.C. and coinciding with the beginning of the Cypro-geometric period (1050-750 B.C.), succeeded the late bronze age. The appearance of iron was a revolutionary invention, iron being harder and more durable than bronze. It is also during this period that the Phoenicians, well known tradesman of antiquity, arrived in Cyprus, lured mainly by its copper ores and its timber. Kition and Amathous were considered as having the strongest Phoenician character.
“Combed ware” bowl from Choirokoitia (4500-3700 B.C.) (Photo, courtesy of the Dept. of Antiquities)
Bronze cauldron from Salamis (c. 700 B.C.)
