New information on Chalcolithic period-Bronze Age from finds in Makunda – What the Department of Antiquities says
Important new information about the Chalcolithic period and the Epoch of Bronze in the north-west side of Cyprus result from the analysis of finds brought to light by the archaeological dig at the site of Makounda–Voules< /strong>/Mersinoudias.
According to a statement from the Department of Antiquities, the analysis of stone tools revealed the existence of a set of tools for the processing of cereals, while information is also extracted about the food of people and their relationship with animals.
“The period study of 2024 continues on the work of the previous years and at the same time raises new questions about social life in prehistoric Cyprus” it states.
The work of the archaeological mission at the prehistoric site of Makouda-Voules/Mersinoudia, in Paphos District, was conducted between June 6 and July 4, 2024, under the direction of Dr Kathlyn Grossman (North Carolina State University) with funding from the US National Science Foundation .A, in collaboration with Drs. Paulette Tate (North Carolina State University), Dr. Lisa Graham and Dr. Andrew McCarthy (College of Southern Nevada).
According to the announcement, the mission's work included a study of the archaeological material that had been discovered during excavation periods of previous years. The archaeological survey of the site carried out in 2017 identified evidence of human settlement at the site dating back to the Late Chalcolithic period and the Bronze Age. During successive excavation periods (2018, 2019, and 2023), evidence of circular dwellings dating back to the Chalcolithic period was uncovered. Fire pits of uncertain dating were also found, as well as mining activity.
In 2024, the study of the material allowed the analysis of findings discovered during the survey and excavations, it added. The study focused on the study of stone tools, pottery, animal bones and small objects.
As mentioned, the pottery dates mainly to the Late Chalcolithic period, with some sherds dating to the Middle Chalcolithic period. All the important findings of the excavations were analyzed and some vessels that had been found on site were welded together, including the vessel with a source.
Next it is stated that the analysis of the stone tools revealed the existence of a set of tools for the processing of cereals (e.g. mortars, pestles, hand mills, graters) and for wood processing (e.g. chisels, pickaxes). Many of the tools appear to have been reworked and turned into tools of different shapes, perhaps for completely different uses, such as mining ore.
It is also noted that the study of animal bones has yielded information about food of humans and the relationship between humans and animals. The analysis of 2,800 animal bones showed that humans consumed mainly deer and pigs, also sheep and goats and less fish and birds. Deer antlers were also used to make tools.
Analysis of the flint flakes revealed the existence of an assemblage of scrapers, cleavers and sickles, the Department of Antiquities announcement concludes.
