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SETTLEMENT HIERARCHY AND THE LOCATION OF ALASHIYA ON CYPRUS

ARMSTRONG, KRISTOPHER MARK
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ucin1070632393

Abstract Details

2003, MA, University of Cincinnati, Arts and Sciences : Classics.
This thesis investigates the socio-political character of Late Bronze Age (LBA) Cyprus during the sixteenth to fourteenth centuries BC primarily from an archaeological point of view. Past theories concerning this subject suggest that a centralized political authority ruled Cyprus during this time period. Such suggestions are used to support the hypothesis that Cyprus was Alashiya (a kingdom mentioned in contemporary fourteenth century texts from various kingdoms). While it is the general assumption of scholars that the two were universal equivalents, there is no concrete evidence for such an interpretation Enkomi, an LBA site, has been used to support the idea that Cyprus entered an early form of statehood beginning in the LBA. The supposedly large extent of the settlement, the wealth of its archaeological remains, and its metallurgical facilities are said to suggest that it was the capital of Alashiya. While this theory seems possible, a number of other LBA cities existed that appear to have been equivalent, or even superior, to Enkomi in these terms. All such settlements were located along the coast of the island and present a discrepancy in comparison to the smaller, seemingly less wealthy inland LBA sites. Arguments based on these types of archaeological evidence are risky because much of the ideological component of political cultures is often not apparent in archaeological remains. Alternative models can be constructed. Which of these settlements then, if any, exerted control over other coastal sites on the island? This thesis assesses the relevant evidence from exacavations and archaeological surveys to test the validity of the claims made by past scholarship. The conclusion shows there is no sound archaeological proof to support the theory that a centralized, island-wide political authority existed on Cyprus at any time during the LBA, no proof that any coastal LBA site exerted control over others, and no proof to show that Cyprus and Alashiya should be considered to be synonymous. Until more illustrative archaeological material comes to light, the responsible interpretation is that the socio-political character of Cyprus was regional, and Alashiya, if a part of Cyprus, was one of those regions.
Gisela Walberg (Advisor)
128 p.
Anthropology, Archaeology
Bronze Age; Cyprus; settlement; Alashiya

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • ARMSTRONG, K. M. (2003). SETTLEMENT HIERARCHY AND THE LOCATION OF ALASHIYA ON CYPRUS [Master's thesis, University of Cincinnati]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ucin1070632393

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • ARMSTRONG, KRISTOPHER. SETTLEMENT HIERARCHY AND THE LOCATION OF ALASHIYA ON CYPRUS. 2003. University of Cincinnati, Master's thesis. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ucin1070632393.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • ARMSTRONG, KRISTOPHER. "SETTLEMENT HIERARCHY AND THE LOCATION OF ALASHIYA ON CYPRUS." Master's thesis, University of Cincinnati, 2003. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ucin1070632393

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

ucin1070632393
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This open access ETD is published by University of Cincinnati and OhioLINK.