New significant information about the Chalcolithic period and the Bronze Age in the northeast of Chrysochou City, in the Paphos province, is provided by an excavation at the Makounta-Voules-Mersinoudkia site, according to an announcement from the Department of Antiquities, Ministry of Culture.
The department announced the completion of the excavations at the said site on Wednesday.
The excavation took place between June 3 and July 10, 2023, under the direction of Dr. Kathlyn Grossman (North Carolina State University), funded by the National Science Foundation of the United States and in collaboration with Dr. Tate Paulette (North Carolina State University), Dr. Lisa Graham (College of Southern Nevada), and Dr. Andrew MacCarthy (College of Southern Nevada).
It’s noted that students from North Carolina State University and other universities in the United States participated in the excavation.
As stated, an archaeological survey of the area conducted in 2017 identified evidence of human settlement dating back to the Late Chalcolithic period and the Bronze Age.
During three consecutive excavation periods (2018, 2019, and 2022), evidence was uncovered indicating the existence of a series of circular dwellings dating from the Chalcolithic period, as well as uncertainly dated fire pits and mining activities. In 2023, the excavation focused on expanding knowledge for a better understanding of the findings from previous years.
It is noted that during the excavation period, the stone base of a Chalcolithic circular dwelling was revealed, with about half of its circumference preserved. This dwelling appears to have been in use simultaneously with a second circular dwelling discovered nearby during previous excavation periods.
In total, three Chalcolithic circular dwellings have been discovered at the site, as well as a small portion of a wall, discovered in 2023, which may belong to a fourth dwelling. Inside all these dwellings, fragments of pottery vessels, stone tools, animal bones, materials from collapsed walls, and other findings were identified.
Additionally, the 2023 excavation unearthed two overlapping fire pits. While the use of the upper pit cannot be clearly determined, the lower pit seems to have been used for firing pottery vessels but would have had other uses as well. It’s noted that the discovered fire pits date back to the Middle Bronze Age based on pottery fragments.
Finally, it is reported that the 2023 excavation builds upon the findings of previous excavation periods and simultaneously raises new questions regarding social life in prehistoric Cyprus.
