Pafos Live 1 December 2024
With discoveries that offer new perspectives for understanding Chalcolithic life in Cyprus, the 2024 excavation at the Chloraka-Palloures site has been completed. Among other things, the burial of a six-year-old child, two copper objects and evidence that are expected to provide information about eating habits from 5000 years ago was found.
According to an announcement by the Department of Antiquities of the Deputy Ministry of Culture, the excavations are being carried out under the direction of Professor Dr. Bleda Düring from Leiden University.
The expedition focused on the excavation of a number of "burnt circular houses" dating to the Chalcolithic period (3500 – 2500 BC). On their floors a large amount of ash was found and vases whole but crushed. These houses were excavated and documented very carefully using the best available digital technologies so that it can be understood what happened and how these buildings caught fire, it added.
Another important discovery that provides us with important information about the development of early metallurgy on the island was the discovery of two objects made of copper, a periapte and a chisel, adds the Department of Antiquities.
Finally, it is mentioned that a great discovery during this year's excavations in Palloures was the discovery of about 30 coprolites – fossilized animal excrement – which can provide important information about the eating habits and the level of health of the community that lived in this area 5000 years ago.
