A comprehensive tour of the site takes in the House of the Bronzes (c. twelfth century B.C.), where a hoard of bronze articles was unharthed by Professor Schaeffer in 1934 his first exciting proof of the existence of the city he felt certain was there. Vestiges of streets suggest that the town plan was on the grid system. The House of the Pillar to the north has been identified as a public building. The Tomb (known as No. 18) which yielded the greatest finds in the course of Swedish excavations in 1930 is to the left. Beyond, continuing in a northward direction, there is an area of buildings, the most central of which has been named The Sanctuary of the Horned God, because it was here that the bronze statue of that description was found. It is 2 ft in height, and is one of the most prized exhibits in the Cyprus Museum. Evidence as to the worship of this god has come to light in the form of skulls of bulls and other animals used for sacrifice, which have been found near the statue. Further excavations below the floor of the sanctuary have yielded remains from the sixteenth to the thirteenth centuries B.C.
The Wall Fortifications, which had gates to the west and north of the city, included projecting rectangular towers and a larger square fortress of the sixteenth to fifteenth centuries B.C. in which there have been found traces of copper smelting. Superimposed on these, there is further evidence that copper-smelting continued here in the early fourteenth century B.C., until this, too, was covered by flooring subsequent to fire and upheavals at the end of the thirteenth century and the beginning of the twelfth.
In case lack of time, or excessive heat, makes the route outlined in the official leaflet impracticable, a modified view of the city can be achieved by proceeding first to the North Gate, then turning south down the main street to make a circuit of the House of Bronzes, and then returning to the custodian's office. This has the effect of leaving out the West Gate and sections of the town wall, but gives a rough outline of the scope of the city. Keep right on leaving the site, and continue to the village of Engomi, on the further outskirts of which a fenced area to the left is observed.
The Cenotaph (Tomb 77), an artificial mound built on a rocky platform, is outstanding. This obvious target yielded few results to old-time plunderers and archaeologists, but has now been thoroughly excavated to reveal plastered steps leading up to a platform which contained a funeral pyre. Because the mound was built off-centre, the contents, lime-stone statues, wine jars from Rhodes and an archaic bronze shield had remained undiscovered, as were the pyre and its contents, human figures and the head of a horse moulded in clay, as effigies placed there in default of bodies and sacrifices. It has been assumed that this is a cenotaph, or empty tomb, erected in memory of Nicocreon, last king of Salamis. In 311 B.C. he and his family committed themselves to the flames of their palace rather than submit to Ptolemy, and the bodily remains were therefore destroyed. This theory, unsubstantiated yet highly probable, does much to enhance the mystery of this prominent and mysterious site overlooking the level plain between Engomi and the remains of Salamis.
Continue eastwards to the main road (1 mile) and then turn right for Famagusta.
 |
Price: 54900 GBP Villa in Tatlisu North Cyprus |
|
|
|
|
| |
| Keywords - How You Can Find Us |
| Description of Alasia Ancient City - Famagusta Historical Places |
