Archaeological excavations have shown that Cyprus has been inhabited since prehistoric times. The Neolithic (8200-3800 BC) and the Chalcolithic period (3800-2400 BC) of Cyprus have left the remains of their daily life, which include simple single-chamber huts, stone and ceramic utensils. The Bronze Age (1650-1050 BC) brought with it the emigration of the Greeks from the mainland, organized societies and trade with neighboring countries. The city-kingdoms were established during the geometric and archaic periods (1050-480 BC). These kingdoms had their rulers, their customs and their coins. During the classical, Hellenistic and Roman period (480-330 AD) the island was under the control of the Persians and that of Alexander the Great. Starting from 45 A.D. the island was converted to Christianity by the apostles Paul and Barnabas. From 1571 to 1878 Cyprus was under Ottoman control, but managed to maintain its Hellenistic cultural identity.
These are the main archaeological sites:
- Kition
- Amathous
- Kourion