Evidence of ancient copper mining found in Paphos district

Evidence of late chalcolithic period copper mining was found during an archaeological dig carried out this summer near the Paphos district village of Makounta.

An archaeological team made up of various experts from United States-based universities found evidence of a series of round buildings dating to the chalcolithic period (4,550BC to 3,500 BC), as well as middle bronze age fire installations, and the evidence of copper mining activities.

In addition, a smorgasbord of ground stone tools, chipped stone, ceramics, animal bones and other small finds were also unearthed at the site.

The majority of the ceramics found date to the late chalcolithic period, with some dating further back to the middle chalcolithic period, and some newer, only dating back to the bronze age (approximately 3,300 BC and 1,200 BC).

In addition, some of the items which had been “smashed in-situ” were also reconstructed by the archaeologists.

On the subject of animal bones, the archaeologists said their finding had “yielded information about ancient foodways” and about interactions between humans and animals at the time.

A total of 2,800 bone fragments were analysed, with it determined that people living at the site were eating mostly deer and pigs, as well as sheep, goats and some fish and birds.

The site’s inhabitants were also using deer antlers and animal bones to make tools.

It was also found that the chipped stone found had been used as various tools by the site’s inhabitants, including as scrapers, engraving tools and sickles.