Cyprus – Archaeology

1) Choirokitia/Khirokitia

The Neolithic settlement of Choirokitia which dates back to the 70000- 5000 B.C. is one of the most important and well preserved prehistoric sites in the eastern Mediterranean and has been listed as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. It is located in the District of Larnaca near the Maroni River. The excavations unveiled circular houses in where they also buried their dead, tools, stone vessels, and anthropomorphic figurines among others, which provide information regarding the evolution of human society in the broader region.

2) Nea Pafos

The remains of the ancient Greek and Roman city of Nea Pafos are located on the southwest coast of Cyprus in the area of Kato Pafos and have been listed as World Heritage Site by UNESCO. The city is estimated to have been founded around the 4th century B.C. and soon became an important political and economical center and was made the capital of Cyprus during the Ptolemaic and later the Roman rule. Some of the most important monuments include the House of Dionysos, the House of Orpheus, the Villa of Theseus, the House of Aion, the Agora, the Theatre, the Basilica of Chrysopolitissa, and the Castle of ‘Saranda Kolones’.

3) Tombs of the Kings

The Tombs of the Kings is an impressive necropolis that dates back to the 3rd century B.C. and is situated north of the ancient city of Nea Pafos the needs of which was meant to satisfy. Its name is not associated with the burial of kings but rather with their monumental character. It was used as a burial site throughout the Hellenistic and Roman times and evidence suggests that it continued until the first years of Christianity. It has also been included in the list of World Heritage Sites by UNESCO.

4) Palaipafos (Kouklia)

The remains of the ancient city of Palaipafos are situated in the village of Kouklia, eastern to the city of Pafos. It was an important religious center from the Geometric period until the Classical period which is associated mostly with the worship of the goddess of fertility which was practiced in Cyprus since the Neolithic times. Some of the most important monuments include the Sanctuary of Aphrodite which is mentioned by Homer and other Greek and Latin writers, the House of Leda, the Northeast Gate of the defensive wall, the City wall and the Palace of Hadji Abdulla, the Church of Panagia Katholiki, the Lusignan Manor House, cemeteries and the Lusignan sugar-cane refinery in the coastal plain.

5) Kalavasos – Tenta

The Neolithic settlement of Kalavasos – Tenta, is estimated to have been established around the end of the 7th millennium B.C. and is situated in the district of Larnaca. The civilization of the settlement vanished suddenly at the end of the Aceramic period.