Copper time in Cyprus2500 B.C. – 1050 B.C.

Panayiotis Krasaris

Aphroditi Zarvou

Panayiotis Lapithiotis

The history of copper miningin Cyprus

The first signs of life appear on the island in the 10th century B.C..The discovery of Copper between 3900 B.C –

2500 B.C. (Chalcolithic period) has brought wealth and growth of trade on the island.The Early Bronze Age : 2300 B.C. - 1850 A.D.The Middle Bronze Age : 1850 B.C. - 1600 A.D.The Late Bronze Age: 1600 B.C. - 1050 A.D.

Finds from the Early Bronze Age

Bronze long tool, 2500-2400 B.C.

A pin of the knot – headed ype1900-1800 B.C.

«Metalwork of Cyprus» -Cuprium aes

The development of trade between Cyprus with Near East, Egypt and Aegean.Cyprus was at that time well known with the

name “Alashiya”.Later it adopts the Latin name of Copper –

Cuprium.Copper becomes the main product of export.

Geology and Copper districts of Cyprus

Metallurgical development

Metal working and trade has influenced the development of cities, although there weren’t any mines in those places.

The flourishing cities are competing over the ruling of the mines.

A map of Cyprus with the main mines of copper

Metallurgical development

New cities are formed in the centre of the island. The old settlements are abandoned.

The cities are well organised, and they are firmly established.

Several kingdoms are created.

«Metalwork of Cyprus» -Cuprium aes

The excavation and treatment of copper continues until the Roman domination.In Middle Ages the production of bronze was

almost eliminated.During the British occupation the mines

reopened.

This is a bronze cauldron supported on an iron tripod and decorated with protomes of griffins and double

faced sirens on its rim, from the “Royal” tomb in Salamis. 8th – 7th century B.C.

Later finds

A medal object dated from the Hellenistic period, end

of the 4th century B.C.

A metal object in an animal shape from the

Roman Empire, 2nd - 3rd

century A.D.

A cruciform statue

A terracotta lamp

Early Bronze Age :2300 B.C. - 1850 B.C.

A remarkable increase of metallurgy

Produced by local copper

Crusts of copper made initially with arsenic (around 2000 B.C.) and later with bronze (tin)

Middle Bronze Age1850 B.C. - 1600 B.C.

The production of bronze made weapons and tools like:

• Spears• Swords• Arrows• Axes• Copper pins and other tools

Copper ingots of the so – called “ox- hide” type, with large signs stamped on, of the Cypro –

Minoan syllabic character from Enkomi –13th century B.C.

Late Bronze Age: 1600 B.C. - 1050 B.C.

The metallurgy is developed systematically all over the urban centres of the island.

Several objects made of bronze are exported in the Eastern Mediterranean Sea , Aegean Sea and Southern Italy, from Cyprus.

Bronze in ArtBronze statuette of the Ingot God, the god protector of the

Cypriot copper minesfrom Enkomi, around 1200 B.C.Bronze statue of the

Horned God from Enkomi, Late

Bronze Age 1200-1150 B.C.

Bronze Finds

Mainly in Troodos Peninsula:

Copper is not excavated in a clear form but in the form of copper iron-pyrites.

Colour: Red, Yellow

The Troodos Pensinsula

Bronze sites -Excavation of bronze

Skouriotissa :the only mine in Cyprus that is still in operation

Troulloi SiaMathiatis KambiaMitseroMavrovouni Limni Kalavassos

Hydrometallurgical treatment of the copper in Skouriotissa - today

Copper Pyrites

Sulfuric copper

Antimicrobial copper

Bronze Exploration and trade

AlassaCourionEpiskopiAmathusKalavassosMaroni

Copper in everyday life

Agricultural toolsMedicamentsCosmeticsGuns – weaponsJewelleryBronze statues

Euro coins - todayThe composition of the coins of euros contains a blend of

copper - brass and nickel

Objects made of bronze which are being used nowadays

Thank you for your attention!

Sources:• http://www.cycladic.gr• http://www.moa.gov.cy/moa/mines/minesSrv.nsf/• http://www.slideshare.net/florakyprianou/ss-34412185• http://www.oryktosploutos.net/2015/09/blog-

post_7.html#.VlwawqTovIU• www.google.images.com• www.centralbank.gov.cy