Hostname: page-component-7c8c6479df-r7xzm Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-03-28T17:38:22.546Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

Exploiting a damaged and diminishing resource: survey, sampling and society at a Bronze Age cemetery complex in Cyprus

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 January 2015

Jennifer M. Webb
Affiliation:
*Archaeology Program, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Australia (Email: jenny.webb@latrobe.edu.au; d.frankel@latrobe.edu.au)
David Frankel
Affiliation:
*Archaeology Program, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Australia (Email: jenny.webb@latrobe.edu.au; d.frankel@latrobe.edu.au)

Abstract

Is a cemetery that has been robbed and pillaged for generations worthy of systematic research? It certainly is, given the application of a well conceived and executed project design. The authors show that the precise investigation of tomb architecture and identification of residual pottery can allow the detailed mapping of funerary practice over large areas of space and periods of time. Here they develop a narrative of increasing population and funerary investment through the Bronze Age in central north Cyprus. And having recorded 1286 pillaged tombs they call attention to the value of what still remains and the dangers that such monuments still face. The fact that a cemetery has been damaged is no reason to sacrifice it to the bulldozer.

Type
Research
Copyright
Copyright © Antiquity Publications Ltd 2009

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

Angel, J. L. 1971. The people of Lerna. Analysis of a prehistoric Aegean population. Washington: Smithsonian Institution Press.Google Scholar
Åström, P. & Wright, G. R.H. 1962. Two Bronze Age tombs at Dhenia in Cyprus. Opuscula Atheniensia 4: 227–76.Google Scholar
Belgiorno, M. R. 2004. Pyrgos-Mavroraki: ‘Advanced technology in Bronze Age Cyprus’, CNR-ITABC archaeological mission at Pyrgos, Nicosia, Archaeological Museum, 30 June - 30 July 2004. Nicosia: Department of Antiquities, Cyprus.Google Scholar
Chamberlain, A. T. 2006. Demography in archaeology. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Coleman, J. E., Barlow, J. A., Mogelonsky, M. K. & Schaar, K. W.. 1996. Alambra. A Middle Bronze Age settlement in Cyprus. Archaeological investigations by Cornell University 1974-1985 (Studies in Mediterranean Archaeology 118). Jonsered: Paul Åströms Förlag.Google Scholar
Davies, P. 1997. Mortuary practice in prehistoric Bronze Age Cyprus. Report of the Department of Antiquities, Cyprus:1126.Google Scholar
Frankel, D. 1974. Middle Cypriot White Painted pottery. An analytical study of the decoration (Studies in Mediterranean Archaeology 42). oteborg: Paulströms Förlag.Google Scholar
Frankel, D. & Webb, J.M.. 1996. Marki Alonia. An Early and Middle Bronze Age town in Cyprus. Excavations 1990-1994 (Studies in Mediterranean Archaeology 123). Jonsered: Paulströms Förlag.Google Scholar
Frankel, D. 2006a. Marki Alonia. An Early and Middle Bronze Age settlement in Cyprus. Excavations 1995-2000 (Studies in Mediterranean Archaeology 123). Sävedalen: Paulströms Förlag.Google Scholar
Frankel, D. 2006b. Neighbours. Negotiating space in a prehistoric village. Antiquity 80:287302.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Frankel, D. 2007. The Bronze Age cemeteries at Deneia in Cyprus (Studies in Mediterranean Archaeology 135). Sävedalen: Paulströms Förlag.Google Scholar
Hadjisavvas, S. 1985. A Late Cypriote II tomb from Dhenia. Report of the Department of Antiquities, Cyprus: 133–6.Google Scholar
Hassan, F. A. 1981. Demographic archaeology. New York (NY): Academic Press.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Higham, T., Chapman, J., Slavchev, V., Gaydarska, B., Honch, N., Yordanov, Y. & Dimitrova, B.. 2007. New perspectives on the Varna cemetery (Bulgaria) - AMS dates and social implications. Antiquity 81:640–54.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Keswani, P. S. 2004. Mortuary ritual and society in Bronze Age Cyprus (Monographs in Mediterranean Archaeology). London: Equinox.Google Scholar
Morris, D. 1985. The art of ancient Cyprus. Oxford: Phaidon.Google Scholar
Nicolaou, I. & Nicolaou, K.. 1988. The Dhenia Kafkalla and Mali tombs. Report of the Department of Antiquities, Cyprus: 71120.Google Scholar
Sneddon, A. C. 2002. The cemeteries at Marki: using a looted landscape to investigate prehistoric Bronze Age Cyprus (British Archaeological Reports International Series 1028). Oxford: Archaeopress.Google Scholar
Swiny, S., Rapp, G.R. & Herscher, E.. 2003. Sotira Kaminoudhia: an Early Bronze Age site in Cyprus (American Schools of Oriental Research Archaeological Reports 8/CAARI Monograph Series 4). Boston (MA): American Schools of Oriental Research.Google Scholar
Todd, I. A. 2007. Vasilikos Valley Project 11: Kalavasos Village Tombs 52-79 (Studies in Mediterranean Archaeology 71). Sävedalen: Paulströms Förlag.Google Scholar
Tucker, K. & Cleggett, S.. 2007. Human remains from Tomb 789, in Frankel, D. & Webb, J. M.The Bronze Age cemeteries at Deneia in Cyprus (Studies in Mediterranean Archaeology 135): 131–6. Sävedalen: Paulströms Förlag.Google Scholar
Webb, J. M. & Frankel, D.. 2001. Corpus of Cypriote Antiquities 21. Eight Middle Bronze Age tomb groups from Dhenia in the University of New England Museum of Antiquities (Studies in Mediterranean Archaeology 20). Jonsered: Paulströms Förlag.Google Scholar
Webb, J. M. 2008. Fine ware ceramics, consumption and commensality: mechanisms of horizontal and vertical integration in Early Bronze Age Cyprus, in Hitchcock, L., Laffineur, R. & Crowley, J. (ed.) Dais. The Aegean Feast. Proceedings of the 12th International Aegean Conference, University of Melbourne, Centre for Classics and Archaeology, 25-29 March 2008 (Aegaeum 29): 287–95. Liege: Annales d'archéologie égéenne de l'Université de Liège.Google Scholar
Webb, J. M., Frankel, D., Stos, Z. A. & Gale, N.. 2006. Early Bronze Age metal trade in the Eastern Mediterranean. New compositional and lead isotope evidence from Cyprus. Oxford Journal of Archaeology 25: 261–88.CrossRefGoogle Scholar