Site diversity in Cyprus in the late 5th millennium BC: Evidence from Kalavasos Kokkinoyia

Sixty years after the excavations of Porphyrios Dikaios at the prehistoric site, Kalavasos Kokkinoyia in Cyprus, recent excavations are revealing new information on the poorly understood transition from the Late Neolithic period to the Early Chalcolithic period (ca 4000-3900 cal. BC). Kalavasos Kokkinoyia features at least two anomalous traits: an extensive chamber and tunnel complex and the complete absence of any animal or botanical remains. These features set the site apart from other sites of the Late Neolithic and Early Chalcolithic periods in Cyprus. This paper summarises recent findings at Kalavasos Kokkinoyia in the wider context of Cyprus in the late 5th and early 4th millennia BC and poses some questions regarding the nature of site diversity at this time.