From inCyprus 20 June 2017
An exhibition of around a hundred cruciform idols will line the towns of Cyprus as part of the Ministry of Education’s ‘Schools in Action’ programme for the events organised for Pafos 2017 European Capital of Culture.
The 1.8 x 1.5 MDF cut-out cruciform idols have been decorated by school students using a variety of materials and styles to express their own unique message.
The exhibition will be on display along the perimeter of the archaeological park behind the Paphos castle until the beginning of September.
Cruciform idols date back to the Chalcolithic period, circa the 30th century BC, the most popular being the Idol of Pomos discovered in the village of Pomos, Paphos in 1934, now on display in the Archaeological Museum in Nicosia. The sculpture represents a woman with her arms spread and was probably used as a fertility symbol. Many similar sculptures have been found on the island since. Smaller versions were worn as amulets around the neck.
