Archaeologists Unearth 4,000-Year-old Temple in Cyprus with Mysterious Monolith

Archaeologists have recently discovered a 4,000-year-old temple with a mysterious monolith over 7 feet high on the island of Cyprus.

Knewz.com has learned that the excavation and research on the site are being carried out by the University of Siena, in association with the Department of Antiquities of Cyprus.

The latest discovery was made at the archaeological site of Erimi, in south-central Cyprus.

Professor Luca Bombardieri of the University of Siena in Italy, who is leading the research, believes that the temple belonged to a Middle Bronze Age artisanal settlement in the region.

He also claimed that this was the oldest recorded temple on the island so far, dating back to somewhere between 2000 to 1600 B.C.

"During the Middle Bronze Age (around 2000-1600 BC) a community of craftsmen chose to settle on the hill of Erimi and to build a community living space with very particular characteristics," the Professor explained in a press release from the University.

"The primitive settlement of Erimi is located in the hinterland of Limassol and extends over a high limestone terrace overlooking the course of the Kouris river and a large portion of the Gulf coast of Kourion and the Akrotiri peninsula."

"Recent excavations have led to the discovery of the oldest sacred building attested in Cyprus, whose ritual function and ideological value seem to be of particular meaning," Bombardieri added.

The mysterious, 7.5-foot monolith was discovered in a room on the Western wing of the artisanal complex.

The Professor explained that the monolith was likely originally placed in the center of the room, but subsequently "collapsed on the floor and destroyed a large amphora placed at its feet in front of a small circular hearth."

An Amphora is an ancient container shaped somewhat like a vase, with two handles, and according to Britannica , is "one of the principal vessel shapes in Greek pottery."

Bombardieri mentioned that the monolith is completely smooth, and has a circular motif at its center.

"The peculiarities of this [room]... indicate that it is a small sacred space, the oldest actually attested on this island, with interesting cultural function precisely because it is located within the laboratory complex," he explained in the press release .

"In this way, the activity that economically supported the community also ideologically and symbolically involved its members."

It was reported that the archaeologists made another interesting discovery at the site—the remains of a possible ancient murder victim.

The remains of a young woman were found "sealed" in the building, her skull smashed and a heavy stone placed on her chest. Reports noted that the heavy stone was probably meant to hold her still.

Professor Bombardieri commented that the woman was likely killed around the Middle Bronze Age, likely due to reasons associated with maternity. He also noted that this killing might be related to "other [similar] cases recorded in the past in other parts of Cyprus."

It was reported by Newsweek that archaeologists uncovered several "lost" tombs on the grounds of a British overseas military base in Cyprus earlier in 2024.

During a survey conducted in the Eastern Sovereign Base Area (ESBA) in March, located near the Southern coast of Cyprus, archaeologists from the University of Leicester found a total of 51 archaeological sites over a 12-mile-wide area, some of which dated back to the Bronze Age. Many of these sites were thought to have been lost to history, per the report.