Bronze Age Artifacts Uncovered During Excavations Near Limassol

Archaeologists excavating at the Pitharka site near the village of Erimi in Limassol have unearthed ceramic items, stone tools, and artifacts dating back to the Late Bronze Age. It appears that the settlement was voluntarily abandoned.

According to a statement from the Department of Antiquities, the investigation of the site and its findings revealed several phases of Pitharka's development, all dating to the Late Bronze Age, except for ceramic fragments indicating even earlier occupation.

"The discoveries mainly consist of ceramics, predominantly pithoi and simple white ware, along with coarse kitchenware and a smaller quantity of fine and imported pottery. Additionally, we found worked stone tools such as grinding stones, graters, pestles, bowls, gaming stones, and mortars," the department's statement said.

Of particular interest among the finds are the fine ceramics, including base rings, white slip ware, white painted ware, and Aegean-style pottery.

"The rooms and spaces were largely empty, with relatively few artifacts, mostly ceramic fragments and less mobile items such as pithoi and stone tools. This suggests that the inhabitants had sufficient time to vacate the site," the statement added.

"It appears that Pitharka was peacefully abandoned; although the walls had collapsed significantly, there is no evidence of destruction by fire," the scientists noted.

The Pitharka project is conducted by the University of Graz in collaboration with Cardinal Stefan Wyszynski University.

Excavations were carried out from April 29 to June 7, 2024, by an international team of staff and students under the direction of Professor Lerk Rekht.

Funding for the project primarily came from the University of Graz and a grant from the Rast Family Fund.

Earlier reports from Flinders University (Australia) suggested new settlement dates for Cyprus, indicating that hunter-gatherers likely settled on the island over 14,000 years ago.