Prehistoric Vilage of Lemba, Cyprus
Lemba Experimental Village, the first project on experimental archaeology in Cyprus and in the East Mediterranean area. Lemba Experimental Village is the replication of some prehistoric Chalcolithic buildings, which were excavated in the area next to the experiment, using materials, building methods and technologies known to have existed at that time. Today, the recent constructions are observed as they decay and disintegrate. Lemba sits on the coast between the historic port of Paphos and Kissonerga another Chalocolithic settlement. Excavation at Lemba has shown that humans used domesticated (sheep, cattle, pig and goat). The area was first settled around 6000BC. Environmental data taken from the excavation shows the environment was probably comprised of dense forests of mixed coniferous and deciduous trees, while the coastal lowlands supported dense vegetation. The cutting of timber and clearance for agriculture encouraged erosion which combined with the browsing of domesticates, prevented the regeneration of natural vegetation. Settlement in the area in the early Chalcolithic (3800-3500BCE) proven by the insubstantial timber buildings 3-4m in diameter with wattle and daub walls set in shallow hollows. The oldest known stone and mud buildings date to the middle Chalcolithic (3500-3000BCE). The form of village settlements was usually in the form of tightly compacted round buildings, surrounded by storage and rubbish pits and graves associated with the dwelling areas. Such a pattern continues through to the late Chalcolithic (3000-2300 BC).
Size: 5384px × 3542px
Photo credit: © Mirjana Nociar / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
Keywords: ancient, architecture, building, chalcolithic, cyprus, heritage, lemba, mediterranean, mud, paphos, prehistoric, settlement, stone, timber
