The aim of this research is to expand the understandings of stamp and cylinder seals as grave gifts in the Late Bronze Age Period of Cyprus. The significance of stamp and cylinder seals in other...Show moreThe aim of this research is to expand the understandings of stamp and cylinder seals as grave gifts in the Late Bronze Age Period of Cyprus. The significance of stamp and cylinder seals in other contexts has been more extensively investigated and interpreted, often understood as mercantile tools, markers of social status, and administrative tools (on both household and institutional levels). However, when it comes to grave contexts, the significance of stamp and cylinder seals is reduced to being decorative or used as an amulet. This research reconsiders that perspective by analyzing the stamp and cylinder seals found in grave contexts at the sites of Episkopi-Bamboula, Maroni, Kalavasos-Ayios Dhimitrios, Hala Sultan Tekke, and Enkomi. The data considered is the material and quality of the stamp and cylinder seals, the associated grave finds encountered in tombs, and the iconography and stylistic influences of the engravings. On the basis of these elements, patterns are identified and comparisons are made to the stamp and cylinder seals which were not located in grave contexts. This gives an insight to what characterizes the stamp and cylinder seals which were used as grave gifts, and whether these characteristics were different from stamp and cylinder seals in other contexts. Also considered is what factor it was which lead to their deposition in graves, as some stamp and cylinder seals were in circulation for multiple generations before being buried. This could be related to the wear of stamp and cylinder seals, and the fact that they reached the end of their use-life. Besides the quantitative analysis, specific contexts and notable finds are considered and discussed. Importantly, this research does not aim to create a singular interpretation of this object type, but rather understand the full range of uses and understandings which surrounded stamp and cylinder seals in the past. The analysis in this research establishes the variety of interpretations which can be applied to stamp and cylinder seals in tomb contexts – they can be indicators of vocation, status, and religion.Show less
During the Chalcolithic period (ca. 4000 – 2400 BCE) Cyprus was home to several highly distinctive styles of anthropomorphic figurines. These figurines were produced using clay and different types...Show moreDuring the Chalcolithic period (ca. 4000 – 2400 BCE) Cyprus was home to several highly distinctive styles of anthropomorphic figurines. These figurines were produced using clay and different types of stone. Picrolite, was the most common type of stone used for figurines. The figurines feature carved or painted figurative elements which are thought to represent concepts such as dress, hairdo, jewelry, tattoos, and body paint. There is no way to study the dress, hairdo, tattoos, and body paint worn by the Chalcolithic inhabitants of Cyprus directly. As such, these concepts can be studied within the confines of figurine studies, not necessarily in relation with the dress of the Chalcolithic population of Cyprus. In order to analyze the relationship between carved and painted figurative elements on picrolite and ceramic figurines and Chalcolithic bodies and their dress, jewelry, tattoos, or face and body painting, the following research question was established: “Do painted and carved elements on pottery and picrolite figurines from Chalcolithic Cyprus represent dress, hairdo, jewelry, tattoos, and body paint?” To answer this question, a database was established, using Winkelmann’s (2020) extensive catalog of Cypriot figurines, as well as the catalog of the Souskiou Project (Peltenburg et al., 2019). All painted and carved figurative elements, as well as their locations on the figurines were entered in the database. The figurative elements were analyzed and compared using charts and tables and results were compared with previous works on the topic. This thesis illustrates that certain figurative elements, such as hair and decoration on the neck, occur on both ceramic and picrolite figurines. However, their occurrence rates may differ between ceramic and picrolite. Most figurative elements occur in standard locations on the body, suggesting these elements represent concepts in relation to this location (e.g., tassels, clothing, and body paint). While many suggest ceramic and picrolite figurines represent the same concept, figurative elements rarely overlap between the two materials. Certain figurative elements appear to correspond to body adornments known from the archaeological record, while some painted figurative elements resemble common RW ware motifs, suggesting a purely decorative function. It is very likely that painted and carved figurative elements represent dress, hairdo, jewelry, tattoos, and body paint.Show less
Rising tensions and new cooperation tendencies in the Eastern Mediterranean area are highlighted by energy politics. Latest natural gas discoveries in the Eastern Mediterranean Sea have prompted...Show moreRising tensions and new cooperation tendencies in the Eastern Mediterranean area are highlighted by energy politics. Latest natural gas discoveries in the Eastern Mediterranean Sea have prompted many to wonder whether natural resources might help the area to reach peace and prosperity. However, the recent tensions and navy confrontations reveal that competition extends beyond the race for energy. By focusing on the 2018 energy dispute between the Republic of Cyprus (in alliance with Greece) and Turkey, this thesis paper examines the fluctuations of geopolitical strategies in the Eastern Mediterranean, as well as their influence on regional cooperation and the new foreign relations realities between the competing regional powers. What impact do regional and international powers' actions and policies have on regional security? Does the discovery of energy resources lead to closer cooperation or increased competition? This thesis paper looks beyond the economic importance of energy resources and analyses the energy problem in the Mediterranean Sea as primarily a geopolitical and strategic one, with economics playing a secondary role.Show less
In the second half of the 20th century, the world witnessed the emergence of new states. With the emergence of new states in newly established borders, new issues arose. One of these issues is the...Show moreIn the second half of the 20th century, the world witnessed the emergence of new states. With the emergence of new states in newly established borders, new issues arose. One of these issues is the emerging disputes between different ethnopolitical groups within these new states. In many of the examples, especially in Eurasia, it can be observed that these disputes turned into frozen conflicts, and these frozen conflicts led to the establishment of de facto states. With the deep historic roots of these conflicts and ties of ethnic groups to other states, international intervention has been an important element of frozen conflicts. Recognizing the transformation from war to peace to be a two-step process where peace can be present either in the form of negative or positive peace, reconciliation is identified to be the way positive peace is achieved from negative peace. Using a qualitative case study approach, the thesis looks into how the Reconciliation Pyramid of Auerbach would be applied to the case of Cyprus to determine the role international intervention plays in the reconciliation process and further reflect on the failure of international intervention so far. It is found that international interventions negatively impact reconciliation processes during frozen conflicts due to their deeply rooted historical involvement in the emergence of issues that generated the conflict as well as their remaining individual incentives.Show less
The Chalcolithic on Cyprus (ca. 3900-2400 BCE) is an important period for the research of key developments taking place on the island, such as social differentiation, craft specialisation and long...Show moreThe Chalcolithic on Cyprus (ca. 3900-2400 BCE) is an important period for the research of key developments taking place on the island, such as social differentiation, craft specialisation and long-distance trade. With extensive excavations at the sites of Lemba-Lakkous, Kissonerga-Mosphilia and Kissonerga-Mylouthkia, the Chalcolithic is generally well investigated (see Peltenburg, 1985; 1998; 2003). The poorly investigated transition between the Middle (ca. 3400-2900 BCE) and the Late Chalcolithic (ca. 2800-2400 BCE), on the other hand, still leaves a research gap. The currently ongoing excavations at the site of Chlorakas-Palloures revealed remains of both the Middle and Late Chalcolithic and, therefore, have great potential to close this gap. This research involves analysing the ceramic assemblage of trench BU13 at Chlorakas-Palloures by investigating how this assemblage changes from the Middle to Late Chalcolithic. This leads to the following research question: How does the pottery assemblage of Chlorakas-Palloures change over time from the Middle to Late Chalcolithic and how does this improve our understanding of this transition? The analysis is conducted on the basis of four categories: ware, shape, fabric and surface and the results will be displayed using seriation diagrams. For this, a diagnostic selection was made consisting of 116 sherds, which was studied during the summer of 2021. This selection is placed alongside the stratigraphy of trench BU13 to create a chronological overview of the ceramic material. In this thesis, I show that the use of seriation to create a chronological overview of how pottery changes over time is a success. The ceramic assemblage of case study BU13 changes as expected. Moving from the Middle to the Late Chalcolithic, earlier wares get replaced by later ones and pottery becomes harder and more refined in texture. However, this research also importantly reveals an anomaly in the trench. Material belonging to one of the earliest units of BU13 actually matches the characteristics of that of Late Chalcolithic pottery, while Middle Chalcolithic pottery would be expected. It indicates that the trench needs to be investigated further and current interpretations perhaps need to be re-evaluated. This not only merits the ongoing excavations at Chlorakas-Palloures but the method can also be applied to other trenches and sites on the island to improve the knowledge of Cypriot Prehistory.Show less
At the end of the Late Bronze Age, around 1200 BCE, a wave of destructions raged over the eastern-Mediterranean. Many theories argue that migrant populations, mainly from the Aegean sphere, are...Show moreAt the end of the Late Bronze Age, around 1200 BCE, a wave of destructions raged over the eastern-Mediterranean. Many theories argue that migrant populations, mainly from the Aegean sphere, are responsible for the devastations. In their journey, Cyprus was an important stop en route, making the island an important location to test these theories. However, in recent research the role that indigenous populations played in the destruction events is being emphasized. In this research, it is investigated whether the indigenous populations of Cyprus might in fact be responsible for many, if not all of the events of destruction on the island at the end of the Late Bronze Age. To investigate this hypothesis, Enkomi, Hala Sultan Tekke and Pyla-Kokkinokremos were studied diachronically. In the tumultuous period of the LBA Collapse, these sites were continuous, destroyed and newly founded respectfully. From their excavation reports, the presence of foreign elements is analysed using the concept of deep change to see whether the elements sufficiently constitute to a foreign presence or are merely the result of other modes of interaction (trade, raids). Additionally, a settlement model analysis of site development was applied to see whether internal dynamics, such as competition and rivalry, could have played a part in the destruction episode. From the analyses, it is clear that no large-scale migration to Cyprus had taken place. Aegean people were most likely present in the Cypriot sites, but this concerns small-scale populations and is unrelated to a large-scale migration event whatsoever. The events at Hala Sultan Tekke and Pyla might be better explained in relation to the nearby economically competing site of Kition. At Enkomi the evidence is ambiguous, neither being explained by the previously proposed migration theory, nor by internal dynamics. It is concluded that based on the evidence from the three sites, a large-scale Aegean migration is insufficiently supported. Rather, the workings of intra-insular dynamics between settlement systems appear more plausible as explanation. The Aegean traces, then, are the result of trade interaction and the presence of small groups of Aegean descent.Show less
This thesis examines the European Commission’s influence in Cyprus during the economic reforms in 2013. It aims to answer the question whether the EC influenced Cyprus and if yes, what mechanisms...Show moreThis thesis examines the European Commission’s influence in Cyprus during the economic reforms in 2013. It aims to answer the question whether the EC influenced Cyprus and if yes, what mechanisms did the EC use to achieve that. The theory of International Organizations’ influence was used as a guide of mechanisms that EC could use to influence a member state. Delegation of authority, conditionality, experts and information and rational-legal authority are the four mechanisms used in this qualitative study to explore the reforms in banking, tax, foreign direct investments and the real estate sectors. This qualitative case study uses the method of coding documents to make data-driven decisions based on the literature concepts and tries to find the relations between them. Twenty-seven official documents and newspaper articles are coded and linked to the four mechanisms. The collected data provides three major findings. Firstly, the EC used all four instruments; therefore, all the assumptions made in this research are correct. However, the extent of use regarding each mechanism differed. The second research result drives to effective use of tactics "delegation of authority" and "conditionality", by EC to influence Cyprus. That was an early assumption emanated from the theory and confirmed by the analysis. Last but not least, this study showed a limited use of domestic experts and information during this process and an even less exercise of the rational- legal authority as it founded very few times in all the documents. These findings suggest future research related to the EU influence in its member countries as well as the difference in influence between a small member country compared to a larger one.Show less
Research master thesis | Archaeology (research) (MA/MSc)
open access
This thesis investigates how the Cyprus conflict and its politics influence the ways the Apostolos Andreas monastery (Rizokarpaso/ Dipkarpaz) is perceived, valued and given meaning to by Greek...Show moreThis thesis investigates how the Cyprus conflict and its politics influence the ways the Apostolos Andreas monastery (Rizokarpaso/ Dipkarpaz) is perceived, valued and given meaning to by Greek Cypriots through time (before, during and after the conflict) and in relation to the socio-political context, other events and factors. Additionally, this thesis explores how the monastery, being transformed by the conflict and its post-conflict reconstruction, can influence the shaping of Greek Cypriots’ attitudes and behaviors toward the conflict. Using the concept of the biography of place as an analytical tool, this thesis explores the life history of the Apostolos Andreas monastery, as developed from its construction until this day and views it, at each point in time, as a layered heritage site. In order to reconstruct the monastery’s biography, a wide variety of written sources has been investigated, including scholarly literature and newspaper articles. Additionally, the results of a questionnaire completed by 153 Greek Cypriots are analyzed in order to explore the Greek Cypriots’ perceptions of the monastery today. The results of this thesis show that the sociopolitical events framing the monastery’s own history, as well as its involvement in the currents of the island, led to the development of other (non-religious) values, meanings and symbolisms that are attributed to the monastery today. Additionally, it is demonstrated that the tangible impacts of the conflict and the post-conflict reconstruction, the location of the site, the site’s image and form also influence the Greek Cypriots’ understanding and valuation of the monastery through time. What is more, it is illustrated that the most recent layer of the monument’s biography is built upon and informed by the earlier layers in the monastery’s history. As such, it is of no doubt that there still is a long way to go until the monastery abolishes all the “negative” connotations it has assembled during its eventful life history.Show less
This research examines the influence of nationalism on the outbreak of the armed conflict between Turkish and Greek Cypriots from 1950 until 1976. This armed conflicts between the both Cypriot...Show moreThis research examines the influence of nationalism on the outbreak of the armed conflict between Turkish and Greek Cypriots from 1950 until 1976. This armed conflicts between the both Cypriot communities was reflective of an enduring ethnic conflict between two different cultural communities. Therefore, this research is focused on understanding the ethnic conflict in relation to the rise of Turkish and Greek nationalism. The structure of this research starts by placing the ethnic conflict in its historical context; secondly, the effects of Turkish and Greek nationalism on the both Cypriot communities will be elucidated; and lastly, this research will analyze the ethnic conflict from Kohn's theory of nationalism, which distinguishes two different forms of nationalism: civic and ethnic nationalism.Show less
Research master thesis | Classics and Ancient Civilizations (research) (MA)
open access
2021-09-25T00:00:00Z
The status and political organization of Cyprus during the Late Bronze Age (c. 1600-1100 BC) is a controversial topic. On the one hand the king of Alashiya ‘Cyprus’ is mentioned as an equal to the...Show moreThe status and political organization of Cyprus during the Late Bronze Age (c. 1600-1100 BC) is a controversial topic. On the one hand the king of Alashiya ‘Cyprus’ is mentioned as an equal to the Egyptian King in the Amarna Letters. Various texts from Egypt, Hatti and Ugarit reveal the increasing activity of the island in the trade networks of the eastern Mediterranean area and its dominant role as a copper supplier. On the other hand, the archaeological data inside the island display a society with simple socio-economic structures. The few signs of economic intensification, surplus manipulation and craft specialization are not enough to prove the “supremacy” of a certain elite or even a king. The current study aims to investigate these data, identify the urban and administrative centers of Late Bronze Age Alashiya and to reconstruct the networks within the island and the Eastern periphery. The results of this survey will reveal possible hierarchy among the urban sites and attempt to clarify the political organization of Late Bronze Age Cyprus. Did the 'King of Alashiya' truly exist?Show less
The main scope of this thesis is the use of the State of Emergency as a tool in colonial counterinsurgency. The State of Emergency allows us to draw connections between three colonies in three...Show moreThe main scope of this thesis is the use of the State of Emergency as a tool in colonial counterinsurgency. The State of Emergency allows us to draw connections between three colonies in three different continents, Malaya, Kenya and Cyprus. The comparison, assists in adding the Cyprus Emergency within the colonial framework and analyse it as a colonial case. The state of emergency is seen as a tool in counterinsurgency. Finally, the thesis is also connected to scholaraship on Human Rights.Show less
Research master thesis | Archaeology (research) (MA/MSc)
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This research attempts to investigate the degree of contact between different Late Chalcolithic sites of the island, as well as the possibility of extra-insular interactions at the time, by looking...Show moreThis research attempts to investigate the degree of contact between different Late Chalcolithic sites of the island, as well as the possibility of extra-insular interactions at the time, by looking at similarities and differences between red and/or black burnished pottery wares that appear across the island simultaneously. Moreover, the possibility of contacts is being examined, with the inclusion of a Red Black Burnished Ware dataset from Tepecik, Anatolia. Therefore, the main research question is: What can a comparative study of red and/or black burnished wares from various sites across and outside Cyprus tell us about regionalism, connectivity and transfer of craft in the Late Chalcolithic? These research questions are investigated by examining the relevant existing publications as well as available datasets of pottery assemblages. Red and/or black burnished wares from five sites across the island are re-examined, namely: • Red and Black Stroke Burnished Wares (RB/B) from Lemba-Lakkous, Kissonerga-Mosphilia and Chlorakas-Palloures along the west coast • Red Lustrous and Red and Black Lustrous Wares (RL and RBL) from Ambelikou-Agios Georghios in the northern part of the island • Fabric A and Fabric E form Politiko-Kokkinorotsos in the central lowlands A comparative study of the aforementioned assemblages is conducted, comparing them in terms of materials, materials, technology (vessel forming and firing, surface treatment and decoration) and vessel shapes. Following the same methodology, an assemblage of Red Black Burnished Ware (RBBW) from Tepecik, Anatolia is incorporated in the dataset and compared with the Cypriot assemblages on the same aspects (materials, technology (vessel forming, surface treatment and decoration) and vessel shapes. However, one needs to keep in mind that the inclusion of an assemblage from Anatolia does not aim to give a definitive answer to the possibility of relations between the pottery traditions in question. It functions merely as a pilot project, to see whether this hypothesis is indeed plausible and worthy of further investigation.Show less
