CYPRO-ANATOLIAN RELATIONS IN THE 9TH MILLENIUM BC: AKANTHOU*/TATLISU RESCUE EXCAVATION

Abstract

In the last decade archaeological research has resulted in advances to our knowledge of Cypriot Prehistory. The results of recent excavations particularly corroded the thoughts and theories of the 1930’s. The former description of Cypro – Anatolian relations as a ‘slight possibility’ is no longer tenable. Two important sites which have played a role in this change are Parekklisha-Shillourokambos and Akanthou-Arkosykos (Tatlısu-Çiftlikdüzü) (Fig. 1). Both sites have exclusive discoveries: they are the first two sites where cattle bones and, more importantly, a large number of obsidian blades were found alongside particular styles of picrolite artefacts (Fig. 2). The geographical position of Akanthou/Tatlısu, the site with the largest number of obsidian blades so far discovered in Cyprus, on the northern coast proves to have played a very important role in Cypro-Anatolian relations during the 9th millennium BC

Özet

In the last decade archaeological research has resulted in advances to our knowledge of Cypriot Prehistory. The results of recent excavations particularly corroded the thoughts and theories of the 1930’s. The former description of Cypro – Anatolian relations as a ‘slight possibility’ is no longer tenable. Two important sites which have played a role in this change are Parekklisha Shillourokambos and Akanthou-Arkosykos (Tatlısu-Çiftlikdüzü) (Fig. 1). Both sites have exclusive discoveries: they are the first two sites where cattle bones and, more importantly, a large number of obsidian blades were found alongside particular styles of picrolite artefacts (Fig. 2). The geographical position of Akanthou/Tatlısu, the site with the largest number of obsidian blades so far discovered in Cyprus, on the northern coast proves to have played a very important role in Cypro-Anatolian relations during the 9th millennium BC.