Mysterious Monolith
On the Mediterraneanisland of Cyprus, archaeologists have unearthed a temple believed to be 4,000years old, which features a mysterious monolith. The remains of the sacredspace were identified at the archaeological site of Erimi.
The prehistoricsettlement of Erimi is located in south-central Cyprus more than 300 feet abovesea level, on a limestone terrace. Cyprus is located in the easternMediterranean Sea, and serves as a crossroads between Europe, Africa and Asia.
Around 2000-1600 BC, inwhat’s known as the Middle Bronze Age, a community settled on the Erimi hill.In this Bronze Age community, scientists discovered a room in which they founda monolith measuring more than 7 feet in height. The monolith is completelysmooth and features a motif in the center.
The monolith, which hadstood in the center of the room, had collapsed onto the floor and destroyed alarge amphora placed at its feet. An amphora is a type of container with apointed bottom. Its characteristic form dates back to prehistoric times.
Peculiarities of thisroom indicate it is a sacred space. It is believed that the activity thatsupported the community economically also involved its members ideologicallyand symbolically. This small sacred space in Erimi is the oldest example knownon the island.
I wish the article hadincluded a rendering of the motif on the monolith. It’s always exciting to geta glimpse of what was considered important and special to people from anotherage.
