Newsroom
It turns out Akamas wasn’t the quiet backwater of ancient Cyprus after all. A new archaeological dig in the northwest part of the peninsula has unearthed artifacts so significant, they’re already changing the narrative on Cyprus’ early prehistory and could change how future development unfolds in the area.
Led by the University of Cyprus, in collaboration with the German Archaeological Institute, the excavation at the site of Droushia-Sklinikia revealed a treasure trove of stone tools, beads, shells, and even signs of ancient hunting, dating back 8,000 to 12,000 years ago. The dig was part of the MIGRATE research project and backed by both EU funding and the A.G. Leventis Foundation.
In plain terms: the finds show that Akamas wasn’t some forgotten corner of the island in prehistoric times; it was alive with activity. This directly challenges the long-standing view that the region was culturally marginal during the island’s early human history.
“This discovery changes the data,” said Cyprus’ Department of Antiquities, adding that the site could now play a key role in shaping how developers and authorities treat the land going forward. With major construction projects currently in the pipeline for Akamas, the timing of the discovery couldn’t be more crucial.
Excavators dug five trenches, each up to 60cm deep, after first surveying the area using geophysical tech. Among the standout discoveries were hundreds of stone tools from the end of the Pleistocene to the early Holocene era, and charcoal samples soon to be sent abroad for dating, which could further pinpoint the site’s age.
Experts are now poring over the artifacts, all carefully mapped and catalogued, in hopes of unlocking more clues about how early humans lived, worked, and moved through Akamas.
