Description
“The importance of the Palaepaphos area for the archaeology and history of Cyprus has long been recognized but was often taken for granted in view of the legends, connecting it with the birth and cult of Aphrodite. During the last twenty years or so, however, the fame of Palaepaphos has been substantiated by archaeological evidence. Regular excavations by the Swiss-German Mission under Professor F.G.Maier, salvage excavations undertaken by the Department of ANtiquities and the Canadian Mission under Dr. David Rupp, have revealed a wide chronological spectrum in the life of ‘major’ Palaepaphos from the Neolithic to the Medieval periods. It is unfortunate that most of the evidence comes from tombs rather than from settlement deposits, but it is hoped that most of the evidence comes from tombs rather than from settlement deposits, but it is hoped that future excavations will remedy this situation. The Late Bronza Age, one of the most exuberant periods in the prehistory of Cyprus, was until fairly recently poorly known in the Palaepaphos region. Excavations of tombs in the Evreti area, especially Tomb 8, illustrate the wealth enjoyed by the Palaepaphians towards the end of the Late Bronze Age, but very little was known about the early part of the Late Cypriote period (LCI and LCII). It is unfortunate that these LC tombs, ostly excavated in the 1950’s, have not yet been fully published. Despite the size and splendour of the ‘Sanctuary of Aphrodite’ at Palaepaphos, dated to the early years of the 12th century B.C., it offers only limited evidence about the town itself. The discovery and excavation of the settlement to which the rich LCIII tombs at the Sanctuary belonged would increase greatly our knowledge about the life and importance of the city of Palaepaphos. The material which is described and discussed in this volume comes from tombs, though some of it may have derived from the settlement, but is not now associated with any architectural remains. Chronologically the finds cover almost the entire Late Bronze Age. The LCI material is rich, though is mainly confined to ceramics. Nevertheless its high quality is of note and offers an element which is new to the cultural development of this region. The LCII-III period is of much significance, illustrating a crucial phase in the island’s prehistory. The transition from LCII to LCIII is at present a subject of considerable interest and Palaepaphos has yielded material such as bronzework, hitherto rather rare in this region, which may explain the importance of the area. It is well known that metallurgical activity flourished in Palaepaphos during the ‘Dark Ages’, but it is now clear that it started about two centuries earlier. Extensive archaeological exploration over many years in eastern and southern Cyprus (at Enkomi, Kition, Kalavassos, etc.) has revealed a flourishing Late Bronze Age culture in these areas. Palaepaphos may now join the line of cosmopolitan harbour towns along the eastern and southern coasts.” -PREFACE, p.vii
