Pyla-Kokkinokremos, Maa-Palaeokastro and the settlement histories of Cyprus in the twelfth century BC
The present thesis provides a methodological examination of Pyla-Kokkinokremos and Maa-Palaeokastro, two settlement-sites that were established in Cyprus during the transition from the Late Cypriot IIC (roughly the thirteenth century BC) to the Late Cypriot IIIA (roughly the twelfth century BC). These two settlements were extremely short-lived and persisted for merely a couple of generations before their eventual abandonment. The period under consideration is often referred to as the âCrisis Yearsâ, and marks a time when the politically and economically powerful land-based polities of the eastern Mediterranean were brought to an end. The foundation of Pyla-Kokkinokremos and Maa-Palaeokastro coincides with these critical years for the eastern Mediterranean and the upheaval of the settlement pattern of Cyprus. Since their excavation, the two sites have been considered as two very controversial and intriguing phenomena. Their selected position on top of naturally fortified locations and the marked absence of perennial water sources in their vicinity suggested that they were established in order to fulfil a special purpose. The original suggestion put forward by the excavator that Pyla-Kokkinokremos and Maa-Palaeokastro
Georgiou, A.
Archeology ; Settlement ; Cypriot Archaeology ; Late Bronze Age
Pyla-Kokkinokremos, Maa-Palaeokastro and the settlement histories of Cyprus in the twelfth century BC. The present thesis provides a methodological examination of Pyla-Kokkinokremos and Maa-Palaeokastro, two settlement-sites that were established in Cyprus during the transition from the Late Cypriot IIC (roughly the thirteenth century BC) to the Late Cypriot IIIA (roughly the twelfth century BC). These two settlements were extremely short-lived and persisted for merely a couple of generations before their eventual abandonment. The period under consideration is often referred to as the âCrisis Yearsâ, and marks a time when the politically and economically powerful land-based polities of the eastern Mediterranean were brought to an end. The foundation of Pyla-Kokkinokremos and Maa-Palaeokastro coincides with these critical years for the eastern Mediterranean and the upheaval of the settlement pattern of Cyprus. Since their excavation, the two sites have been considered as two very controversial and intriguing phenomena. Their selected position on top of naturally fortified locations and the marked absence of perennial water sources in their vicinity suggested that they were established in order to fulfil a special purpose. The original suggestion put forward by the excavator that Pyla-Kokkinokremos and Maa-Palaeokastro
settlement_history cyprus present provide methodological examination settlement sites establish cyprus transition_late cypriot late_cypriot roughly settlement extremely short_lived persist merely couple generation eventual abandonment period consideration often_refer crisis years mark time politically_economically powerful land_based polity eastern_mediterranean bring_end foundation coincide critical year eastern_mediterranean upheaval settlement_pattern cyprus since excavation two_site consider controversial intrigue phenomenon select position top naturally fortified location mark absence perennial water_source vicinity suggest establish order fulfil special purpose original suggestion put_forward excavator