|
The southern cliffs
of the peninsula host the earliest known archaeological site in Cyprus, at a
locality known as Aetokremmos. This is a hunter-gatherer site dated to 12,000
years ago with findings which include bones of pigmy hippos and pigmy elephants.
The wider area includes many other archaeological and religious sites of later
periods such as churches, lock-cut tombs and catacombs.
Many more
archaeological sites prove that the area was inhabited during the different
historic eras, and it was indeed an important place. At the site of
Aetokremmos, about 1500 rock-cut tombs have been discovered, of Roman,
Byzantine and Early Christian periods. There are also many other archaeological
sites on the peninsula, from Hellenistic, Roman, Byzantine and Christian
periods as well as later periodĒs monuments. Lamnia archaeological site of the
Hellenistic period, Saint Nicholas of the Cats monastery of the early Byzantine
period, Agios Dimitrianos, a chapel of the 12th century, Panagia
Galoctotrofousa, monastic building also from 12th century, are just few
examples.
Today, local
Akrotiri villagers are still occupied with traditional basketry, an occupation
that tends to disappear. Basketry is one of the most ancient handicrafts, which
have not changed through the centuries. Currently very few individuals are
still engged with basketry craft in the village. |
|
