Paphos Archaeological Museum

Published 19th of February, 2026

Cruciforms

Cruciforms

Given that the Souskiou site was no longer working, I had to resort to google:


Cypriot cruciform figurines are fascinating little treasures from the island's ancient past, dating back to the Chalcolithic period around 3000-2500 BCE. These stylised human figures, with their outstretched arms and bent legs forming a cross-like shape, were mostly carved from picrolite, a soft blue-green stone found right here in Cyprus. They're emblematic of that era, and one famous example, the Idol of Pomos, even made it onto the country's Euro coins. Often depicting women in a crouching pose, these idols are thought to symbolise fertility or abundance, and they've been unearthed in burials and settlements, particularly in the southwest like around Souskiou.

Behave

Behave

These are picrolite pendants, which would presumably be threaded in a necklace.

Kissonerga Mosfilia

Kissonerga Mosfilia

There was a lot of information on the site of Kissonerga Mosfilia, including a reconstruction of the so-called Pithos House.

Nice Pottery

Nice Pottery

I was impressed with the finds, and how well they had been assembled.

Information

Information

Building 3 at Kissonerga-Mosfilia, known as the Pithos House, is the largest known Late Chalcolithic structure (2900-2400 BC) excavated in Cyprus. It was destroyed by a fire which left a rich 50 cm deep deposit of destruction and occupation, containing an infant who had been trapped in the conflagration. Possible evidence for an olive press, and nearly 300 registered objects, including about forty pithoi (storage vessels), 16 of which were placed in stone settings around the central hearth, were found. Other finds include several caches of stone tools and triton shells. Together the finds suggest a multi-purpose working environment rather than simply a storehouse.


For more information, see our article on Kissonerga Mosfilia. Better yet, go and visit it for yourself!

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