Cyprus Kornokipos is a unique archaeological site located in the south-west of the island of Cyprus. It is an important site for the study of ancient Cypriot history, as it provides evidence for the development of the island’s earliest civilizations. The site is composed of two distinct areas, the Kornokipos Valley and the Kornokipos Plateau. The Kornokipos Valley is a large valley that extends from the Troodos Mountains to the coast of the Mediterranean Sea. The Kornokipos Plateau is a flat, elevated area that rises above the valley.
The earliest known inhabitants of the Kornokipos Valley were the Eteocypriots, a pre-Greek people who inhabited the island from around 3000 BC. They are believed to have been the first people to cultivate the land and to have developed the earliest form of writing on the island. Evidence of their presence can be seen in the numerous archaeological sites that have been discovered in the valley, including the remains of their settlements, tombs, and temples.
In the 8th century BC, the Phoenicians arrived in the area and established a trading post in the valley. They were followed by the Greeks in the 6th century BC, who founded the city-state of Kition in the valley. During the Hellenistic period, the city of Kition became an important cultural and religious center. It was during this time that the site of Kornokipos was developed.
The city of Kition was destroyed by the Assyrians in the 7th century BC and the site was abandoned. It was not until the 4th century BC that the site was re-inhabited by the Ptolemies, who built a fortified city on the site. This city was destroyed by the Romans in the 1st century BC and the site was abandoned once again.
In the 19th century, the site was rediscovered by British archaeologists and excavations began in the early 20th century. Since then, a wealth of archaeological evidence has been uncovered at the site, providing a unique insight into the history of the island.
The site of Kornokipos is now an important archaeological site and is protected by the Department of Antiquities of Cyprus. It is open to the public for viewing and provides an opportunity for visitors to learn more about the history of the island.