Press Releases

The mountains of Cyprus reveal their archaeological secrets

The Department of Antiquities, Ministry of Transport, Communications and Works, announces the completion of the 2018 archaeological mission of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki (AUT) in the Troodos mountains. The team, under the direction of Professor Nikos Efstratiou, consisted of AUT students of History and Archaeology and Archaeologist/Educator Mr Demetris Kyriakou. This year the remains of an unknown prehistoric site were uncovered.

The AUT excavations in the upper part of the Xeros River terrace in the Pafos District, which have been taking place for some years now, have already shown evidence of the 9^th millennium hunter/gatherer site of Agios Ioannis/Vretsia-Rhoudias. This year’s excavations have revealed the architectural remains of a later, unknown Neolithic site (named Ag. Ioannis/Vretsia-Upper Roudias), as well as impressive moveable findings such as a number of ground stones, lithics, picrolite ornaments and animal bones.

The preliminary study of the findings indicates the presence of a pastoral site (its extent and character are under investigation), dating to the Aceramic Neolithic period and most probably to the Kalavasos-Khirokitian Phase (middle of the 7^th mill. BC). This new evidence seems to confirm that, at least as far as the prehistoric period is concerned, the island’s upland areas are as intriguing and important as the lowlands and the coastal areas. It should be noted that in the past, stone tools and vessels were found as surface findings in the wider area, pointing towards the existence of an Aceramic Neolithic site. These findings have confirmed archaeologists’ theories that the Troodos mountains were not only used for seasonal and marginal activities (e.g. hunting and gathering) during early prehistory, but that they also hosted farming and herding communities, characterized by intense mobility and contacts with other groups, as well as exchange networks involving raw materials, such as picrolite.

The archaeological team from the AUT aims to further investigate and highlight the prehistory of upland Cyprus and to open a new chapter in the island’s archaeology. This new chapter will shed light into areas that have so far been ignored by archaeological research and will greatly enhance the island’s diverse cultural biography. 

(MG/SCH)