Prehistoric and Neolithic periods

Articles: Prehistoric and Neolithic periods

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Cyprus’s Prehistoric and Neolithic Periods

Cyprus’s Prehistoric and Neolithic Periods

Long before the ancient Greeks built their temples or the Romans laid their mosaics, Cyprus was home to some of the Mediterranean's earliest farming communities. These prehistoric pioneers built villages, grew crops, and created a culture that would lay the foundation for thousands of years of Cypriot civilization. The Island's First Settlers Cyprus's prehistoric story begins over 11,000 years ago when the island's landscape looked dramatically different from today. The first humans to arrive found a land inhabited by pygmy hippos and dwarf elephants - miniature versions of their mainland cousins that had evolved in isolation on the island. These early settlers were hunter-gatherers who eventually gave way to organized farming communities. By around 7000 BCE, Cyprus had developed a…

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Paphos – Western Kingdom

Paphos – Western Kingdom

www.sovereign.com Paphos refers to two distinct but connected ancient cities in southwestern Cyprus. Palaipaphos (Old Paphos), located at modern Kouklia village, was the original seat of the kingdom and the center of Aphrodite worship from the 12th century BC. Nea Paphos (New Paphos), founded around 320-310 BC at the modern coastal city of Paphos, served as the administrative and commercial capital during Hellenistic and Roman periods. The archaeological complex encompasses both sites and was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1980. The Sanctuary of Aphrodite at Palaipaphos dates to Mycenaean times and functioned as one of the most important pilgrimage destinations in the ancient Greek world. The Archaeological Park at Kato Paphos preserves Roman villas with elaborate mosaic…

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