Untitled - ente nazionale per il turismo di cipro

with colour. They also started to create figures
of fertility goddesses and cross-shaped human
forms. Archaeological finds from this era include
animal-shaped vases and a model of a ploughing
scene – signifying the importance of livestock
and arable farming.
The discovery of copper around 3,000BC,
changed life dramatically, as the metal became
the source of immense wealth and triggered
the development of trade with neighbouring
countries. In addition, the location of many
of the copper mines prompted previously
agrarian communities from settlements in the
foothills and plains to relocate to upland areas.
Some copper ore was smelted locally in wood
or charcoal-burning furnaces and the metal was
exported in ingots in the shape of a sheepskin.
By the Late Bronze Age, smiths were using
imported tin mixed with copper to cast large
bronze objects.
Around 1200BC, the arrival of Greek-speaking
settlers as part of the Sea Peoples, caused great
disruption and led to the emergence of the first
of the city kingdoms of the Iron Age and the
Hellenisation of the island.
Copper smelting started the depletion of the
island’s thick forest cover and after Cyprus fell
to the Persians, the forests were further
diminished for shipbuilding.
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