Introduction

Archaeologists from the Swedish University of Gothenburg in Cyprus have discovered ancient treasure tombs.

Discovery on the Outskirts

Phys.org notes that archaeologists found these tombs on the outskirts of the Bronze Age Hala Sultan Tekka complex.

Tombs Description

These tombs consist of stones of various sizes (4-5 meters) underground, which can be accessed through a narrow corridor from the surface of the earth.

Artifacts and Civilization Connections

In these tombs, scientists have found more than 500 artifacts made of ivory, precious stones, and high-quality ceramics. This indicates that it belonged to the rulers of the city, which was in the past the center of the copper trade during 1500-1300 BC.

It became clear to scientists that more than half of these artifacts belong to other civilizations. Pieces of gold and ivory brought from Egypt. Gemstones such as blue lapis lazuli, deep red carnelian, and blue-green turquoise come from Afghanistan, India, and the Sinai Peninsula, respectively. The tombs also contained amber items brought from the Baltics. Most of the ceramic vessels are from Greece, but vessels from Turkey, Syria, Palestine, and Egypt have also been found.

Skeletons and Royal Burial

In the tombs, archaeologists have found skeletons in good condition, one female, the other a one-year-old child. And on the heads of men and women were crowns and necklaces, which are believed to have been made in ancient Egypt during the reign of pharaohs Thutmose III and Amenhotep IV (Akhenaton). The crowns are decorated with relief images of bulls, deer, lions, and flowers. Scholars have also found in these tombs bronze weapons inlaid with ivory and a seal set in gold in hard hematite engraved with the names of gods and rulers.

Wealth and Copper Trade

It is believed that the wealth of the buried is due to the presence in the nearby Troodos mountains of copper ore mines, which were processed in the city after it was mined. Copper ore was also exported to other countries, where, together with tin, it was used in the production of bronze.

Source

Source: Linta. EN