Cyprus 101: Ch. 1 Prehistorical Cyprus

I've been in Cyprus for quite some time now, and I was honestly just struck with the question. "What do I really know about Cyprus?" I decided to combine my interest in history and my remarkable Google skills, and bring to you the history of Cyprus.

While researching I discovered that condensing 90 centuries of Cypriot history into one blog post would be pretty overwhelming, so I putting it into 3 or 4 chapters.

Ch. 1 Prehistorical Cyprus

DISCLAIMER: I am no prehistorical expert.  I try my hardest, and some terms might just be butchered.  This is an amateur travel blog after all.  (All dates are in BC). 

The first know human civilization on Cyprus was a group of hunters and gathers believed to have come form Eurasia on rafts.  In prehistorical times Cyprus was famous for being inhabited by dwarf animals like pygmy hippos and dwarf elephants,  both of which are extinct today.  Archeologist have uncovered water wells in Cyprus that are believed to be some of the oldest in the world dating between 9,000-10,500 years ago.  They've also found the remains of a 8-month-old cat (go figure) dating back 9,500 years ago.  

8,500 to 7,000 is known as the Epipaleolithic Era.  Archeologist have found no evidence that would suggest human activity besides small communities settled near the coasts. 

The Stone Age lasts from 7,000 to 3,900. Like any typical Stone Age society, Cypriots hunted, made lots of pots and decorated ceramic art.  

After a giant earthquake hit Cyprus in 3,800 it transitioned into the Chalcolithic period.  During this time Cypriots discovered copper on the island.  

The Bronze Age (2,500-1,050) was when Cyprus became gained awareness on the map. During the Age Cypriots began trading copper to other civilizations across the Mediterranean.  Settlements begin to break away from the coasts, and steer inward, now covering the whole island.  Mycenaeans arrive as merchants and progressively Hellenize the island sharing the Greek language, religion and ways of life. 

In the Iron Age from 1,050 to 525 Cyprus gains a great wealth from increasing the copper trade routes. The Phoenicians invade, and the island is split into 10 kingdoms. Archeologists find writings with the first traces that show the first traces communities speaking Greek language on the island, and Cypriots introduce the safety pin into everyday fashion.

Next Up: Ancient Cyprus!  

Works Cited:  Cyprus Brief Historical Survey , The History of Cyprus in 90 Centuries 
and Prehistoric Cyprus