Philia culture
The Philia culture is the earliest Bronze Age culture in Cyprus . It dates from approx. 2500 to 2000 BC. And is named after a cemetery near Morphou (in the north of the island). The Philia culture is known from 19 sites on the island. It has been suggested that the beginning of this culture is related to the arrival of settlers from Anatolia . An increase in the population is noted.
In the settlements (e.g. Marki Alonia , Sotira Kaminoudhia ), rectangular (instead of round) houses now appear for the first time. In ceramics, red-polished vessels, white-painted, black-coated and red-polished goods are typical. The ceramics are usually very well made. The red-polished goods are sometimes painted with white geometric patterns. Typical shapes are jugs with a high spout and a handle. Some ceramic shapes have parallels in Anatolia.
During the Philia culture, cattle farming was reintroduced in Cyprus. There are signs of extensive copper mining. Metal objects were often poured into molds, testifying to the introduction of advanced techniques. Spiral earrings, bronze bracelets and various axes are typical of the Philia culture. There is jewelry made from seashells and small clay figures that have served as spindle whorls .
literature
- Louise Steel: Cyprus before History. From the earliest Settlers to the End of the Bronze Age. Duckworth, London 2004, ISBN 0-7156-3164-0 , pp. 121-125.
