Article · 1989
Excavations at Lemba. Review of E. J. Peltenburg et al., Lemba Archaeological Project, Vol. I: Excavations at Lemba Lakkous, 1976-1983
S. Hood
The Classical Review 39(2) 334-335
A review of *Lemba Archaeological Project, Vol. I: Excavations at Lemba Lakkous, 1976–1983*, on the Chalcolithic settlement, its buildings, finds and dating.
Hood describes the first volume of the Lemba Archaeological Project, which explores the early prehistoric horizon at three sites north of Paphos: Lemba Lakkous, Kissonerga Mosphilia and Kissonerga Mylothakia. Peltenburg had earlier worked at Ayios Epiktitos Vrysi. At Lemba Lakkous the buildings were circular, three occupation periods are defined by pottery, and only the latest has adequate radiocarbon dates, c. 2700–2400 BC when calibrated. Animal bones suggest a shift from deer hunting to pig breeding, and only two small copper objects show acquaintance with metal. Finds include a stone figure of the standard cross shape, a stamp seal, a ring pendant and a slab with spiral cup marks like the Egyptian game mehen.
What it records
- The reviewed volume reports excavations at Lemba Lakkous from 1976 to 1983.p. 334
- The Lemba Archaeological Project aims to explore the early prehistoric horizon with excavations at three sites north of Paphos.p. 334
- Calibrated radiocarbon dates for the latest of three occupation periods, the only one adequately covered, suggest a range of c. 2700–2400 BC.p. 334
- Buildings at Lemba Lakkous were circular, but might be divided by partitions or grouped together like rooms.p. 334
- Animal bones from Lemba Lakkous suggest a shift from hunting deer to pig breeding for food during the life of the settlement.p. 335
Objects published here
5- Stone figure of the standard cross shape, 36 cm high, from a storage area in one building (p. 335)
- Crude stone stamp seal, Lemba Lakkous, unstratified (p. 334)
- Stone ring pendant (p. 334)
- Slab with cup marks in a spiral (p. 334)
- Two small copper objects, both of the latest occupation period (p. 334)
People, places and institutions
People
- E. J. Peltenburgturned project work to southwest Cyprus
Institutions
- Lemba Archaeological Projectproject covering three sites near Paphos
Places
- Lemba Lakkoussite of the excavations reviewed
Also named: Kissonerga Mosphilia, Kissonerga Mylothakia, Ayios Epiktitos Vrysi, Paphos.
Extent pp. 334–335
ChalcolithicEarly Bronze AgePotteryFigurinesCopperArchitectureSettlements
Cited on Ancient Cyprus
1 page- Lemba-LakkousSite