Vrije Universiteit Brussel

Archaeology

Research Area

Archaeological research has shown that the Larnaca region (southeast Cyprus) developed at the end of the Middle Bronze Age (c. 1600 B.C.). In this period, there is a substantial increase in the number of settlements. In the subsequent period, the Late Bronze Age, these settlements grow to important sites with many international contacts. At the end of the Late Bronze Age, the Larnaca area regressed, except for Kition nearly all settlements were abandoned. Our geoarchaeological project investigates the underlying dynamics for the changed interaction between men and palaeoenvironment in this area from 1600 to 1100 B.C. There is also a strong emphasis on using geo-chemistry and isotopic ratios to trace the origin and transport pathways of ancient pottery. 

Research Area

Database and GIS

Currently, a small GIS (Geographical Information System) in ArcView of the archaeological landscape is set up to assess the type and nature of human activity and the environment in the Larnaca region. The database will contain all archaeological sites in this area from the Neolithic until the Iron Age. This approach will allow us the reconstruct the settlement pattern. The comparison of all sites will establish a settlement history. Consequently, it will be possible to define a settlement hierarchy and the inter-site and extra-site relationships. The database consists of comparable parameters, e.g. size of the
settlement, function, … in order to define the relationship between the sites. The information in the database is mainly based on literature (excavation reports, study of museumfiles,…).

A second database in MS Access will contain the artefacts of these sites. The database will correlate the material culture (pottery, architecture,…) of the archaeological sites in the research area.

 

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