Cyprus through the Ages

Thank you Nasia! This FDC of 'Issue A' has, from left to right: a ceramic bag modeled after a textile one from the Bronze Age cemetery of Vounous-Bellapais. The next artifact is significant as it is the oldest Greek inscription found on Cyprus from 1000 BCE. Appearing in tombs from the Crypto-Geometric Period (1050-750 BCE) are these ceramic bird vessels. Was their purpose for mortuary settings or is this just preferential preservation? 

From left to right: Pygmy Hippopotamus, Stone Vessel 7000 BCE - Made of diabase (a volcanic basalt), this vessel was unearthed at Kalavasos-Tenta and typifies the Cypriote Aceramic Neolithic. Both Kalavasos-Tenta and Choirokoitia were abandoned for an unknown reason at the end of this period.

Choirokoitia Settlement 7000 BCE - Circular architecture is clustered around open courtyards. Each circular structure may represent a room and the clusters may comprise a kin group.

Female Figurine 3000 BCE - Excavated at Kissonerga-Mosphilia, this terracotta form shows a a woman giving birth.

Thanks Nasia for the maxicard and FDC from Cyprus Through the Ages: Part B.

Thanks again to Nasia for a portion of 'Cyprus through the Ages: Issue C' from 2009. The stamp in the UR corner shows a portion of Nicosia's Venetian Walls. Commissioned by noble families in 1567, the walls, 11 bastions and 3 gates were to replace medieval fortifications. Churches and palaces were demolished to provide building material for this ambitious undertaking. When the Ottomans attacked in 1570 the walls were unfinished and Nicosia surrendered after 45 days of fighting. During restoration of the Podocataro bastion fragments of weapons, ceramics, coins and Ottoman pipes were unearthed.