"A multidisciplinary approach to Cyprus’ Iron Age political and territorial fragmentation”
CALL FOR PAPERS
International conference
“Cyprum quondam novem regnorum sedem…: a multidisciplinary
approach to Cyprus’ Iron Age political and territorial fragmentation”
4th and 5th of October 2024
Cultural Centre of the Municipality of Idalion (Dali), Cyprus
During the first half of the first millennium BCE, Cyprus was divided in about ten autono-
mous polities, attested by primary sources (inscriptions and coins) as well as by secondary
sources (Greek and Near Eastern texts). While the time of their emergence remains disput-
ed, their disappearance can be dated towards the end of the 4th c. BCE when the unified
island became a province of Ptolemaic Egypt.
Paradoxically, the political fragmentation of the island, which has characterized its long histo-
ry, has hardly been analysed in its concrete aspects: the territories of the various kingdoms,
their limits, their mode of organisation (most notably their relationship with the capital-cities)
and their diachronic evolution. The French-German project Kition-Idalion-Tamassos: cities
and territories within Cypriot kingdoms during the first millennium BCE (KIT, 2022-2025)
has the objective to investigate a regional case study through a multidisciplinary approach,
by focusing on the polities of Kition, Idalion and Tamassos.
After two years of intense research on these three polities, we would like to share and dis-
cuss various aspects related to the territoriality of Cypriot Iron Age polities with colleagues
working on similar aspects and research questions in Cyprus or neighbouring areas.
We propose to approach the overall question under three main aspects (others not excluded):
1: Analysis of historical sources
Historical sources, both literary and epigraphic, as well as numismatic evidence greatly
contribute to our knowledge of Cypriot Iron Age polities as for their historical development
as well as the economic, political, religious and social processes involved. Specific issues
can be addressed, relying on the analysis of anthroponyms, theonyms, toponyms, as well
as more general historical and political topics. While focusing on the Iron Age, we welcome
also papers touching on the transition between Late Bronze Age/Iron Age and Hellenistic
data, highlighting in this way the longue durée perspective of the conference.
2: Material culture studies
Among the aims of the conference is the characterisation of Cyprus polities’ material culture
through time, in order to track possible changes and influences. This encompasses mainly
ceramics and sculptures (terracotta and stone), but can be widened according to data sets
available. The material can come from a variety of contexts (tombs, sanctuaries, settle-
ments), and from the end of the Late Bronze Age to the early Hellenistic period. Contextual
studies of material culture can lead from a production-related to a cultural approach. For
example, votive and cultic practices, the spatial and architectural layout of sanctuaries and
necropoleis can offer important clues that may allow a possible distinction between different
regional habits. This includes approaches to Cypriot material culture using archaeometric
analyses.
3: Landscape archaeological approaches
Despite the shortcomings of the available historical sources as for the spatial organisation
and definition of the territories of Cypriot Iron Age polities, GIS-based research of the com-
plex cultural landscape of Cyprus in the island’s longue durée is very promising. Aiming at
placing the Iron Age polities into their immediate cultural landscape contexts, our ongoing
studies on the three polities of Kition, Idalion and Tamassos show already encouraging
results for investigating the political economies of other kingdoms in a similar way. We
welcome papers dealing with similar researches as well as all kinds of landscape archae-
ological methods – including new innovative methodological or theoretical approaches or
geomorphological studies – focusing on specific Cypriot territories or neighbouring regions
from the end of the Late Bronze Age to the early Hellenistic period.
We invite colleagues dealing with these or closely related aspects in Cyprus or neighbour-
ing areas to submit abstracts up to 300 words until 25 March 2024 to:
Diese E-Mail-Adresse ist vor Spambots geschützt! Zur Anzeige muss JavaScript eingeschaltet sein.
The conference will take place on 4th and 5th of October 2024 at the Cultural Centre of
the Municipality of Idalion (Dali) in Cyprus in presence exclusively. Contributors will
have 30 minutes to present their paper, followed by a discussion. Papers and contributions
should be held in English, the official conference language.
A limited financial support for travelling expenses can be provided to early career research-
ers, not necessarily covering all costs.
Notice of acceptance will be sent by 15 April 2024. It is planned to publish the proceedings
of the conference and we would like to stick with a dense calendar in order to do so. Further
details will be communicated during the conference.
Summary
what: “Cyprum quondam novem regnorum sedem…: a multidisciplinary approach to Cyprus’ Iron Age political and territorial fragmentation”
when: 4 and 5 October 2024
where: Idalion/Dali, Cyprus
abstracts
due until: 25 March 2024
notice of
acceptance: 15 April 2024
contact:Diese E-Mail-Adresse ist vor Spambots geschützt! Zur Anzeige muss JavaScript eingeschaltet sein.
International conference
“Cyprum quondam novem regnorum sedem…: a multidisciplinary
approach to Cyprus’ Iron Age political and territorial fragmentation”
4th and 5th of October 2024
Cultural Centre of the Municipality of Idalion (Dali), Cyprus
During the first half of the first millennium BCE, Cyprus was divided in about ten autono-
mous polities, attested by primary sources (inscriptions and coins) as well as by secondary
sources (Greek and Near Eastern texts). While the time of their emergence remains disput-
ed, their disappearance can be dated towards the end of the 4th c. BCE when the unified
island became a province of Ptolemaic Egypt.
Paradoxically, the political fragmentation of the island, which has characterized its long histo-
ry, has hardly been analysed in its concrete aspects: the territories of the various kingdoms,
their limits, their mode of organisation (most notably their relationship with the capital-cities)
and their diachronic evolution. The French-German project Kition-Idalion-Tamassos: cities
and territories within Cypriot kingdoms during the first millennium BCE (KIT, 2022-2025)
has the objective to investigate a regional case study through a multidisciplinary approach,
by focusing on the polities of Kition, Idalion and Tamassos.
After two years of intense research on these three polities, we would like to share and dis-
cuss various aspects related to the territoriality of Cypriot Iron Age polities with colleagues
working on similar aspects and research questions in Cyprus or neighbouring areas.
We propose to approach the overall question under three main aspects (others not excluded):
1: Analysis of historical sources
Historical sources, both literary and epigraphic, as well as numismatic evidence greatly
contribute to our knowledge of Cypriot Iron Age polities as for their historical development
as well as the economic, political, religious and social processes involved. Specific issues
can be addressed, relying on the analysis of anthroponyms, theonyms, toponyms, as well
as more general historical and political topics. While focusing on the Iron Age, we welcome
also papers touching on the transition between Late Bronze Age/Iron Age and Hellenistic
data, highlighting in this way the longue durée perspective of the conference.
2: Material culture studies
Among the aims of the conference is the characterisation of Cyprus polities’ material culture
through time, in order to track possible changes and influences. This encompasses mainly
ceramics and sculptures (terracotta and stone), but can be widened according to data sets
available. The material can come from a variety of contexts (tombs, sanctuaries, settle-
ments), and from the end of the Late Bronze Age to the early Hellenistic period. Contextual
studies of material culture can lead from a production-related to a cultural approach. For
example, votive and cultic practices, the spatial and architectural layout of sanctuaries and
necropoleis can offer important clues that may allow a possible distinction between different
regional habits. This includes approaches to Cypriot material culture using archaeometric
analyses.
3: Landscape archaeological approaches
Despite the shortcomings of the available historical sources as for the spatial organisation
and definition of the territories of Cypriot Iron Age polities, GIS-based research of the com-
plex cultural landscape of Cyprus in the island’s longue durée is very promising. Aiming at
placing the Iron Age polities into their immediate cultural landscape contexts, our ongoing
studies on the three polities of Kition, Idalion and Tamassos show already encouraging
results for investigating the political economies of other kingdoms in a similar way. We
welcome papers dealing with similar researches as well as all kinds of landscape archae-
ological methods – including new innovative methodological or theoretical approaches or
geomorphological studies – focusing on specific Cypriot territories or neighbouring regions
from the end of the Late Bronze Age to the early Hellenistic period.
We invite colleagues dealing with these or closely related aspects in Cyprus or neighbour-
ing areas to submit abstracts up to 300 words until 25 March 2024 to:
The conference will take place on 4th and 5th of October 2024 at the Cultural Centre of
the Municipality of Idalion (Dali) in Cyprus in presence exclusively. Contributors will
have 30 minutes to present their paper, followed by a discussion. Papers and contributions
should be held in English, the official conference language.
A limited financial support for travelling expenses can be provided to early career research-
ers, not necessarily covering all costs.
Notice of acceptance will be sent by 15 April 2024. It is planned to publish the proceedings
of the conference and we would like to stick with a dense calendar in order to do so. Further
details will be communicated during the conference.
Summary
what: “Cyprum quondam novem regnorum sedem…: a multidisciplinary approach to Cyprus’ Iron Age political and territorial fragmentation”
when: 4 and 5 October 2024
where: Idalion/Dali, Cyprus
abstracts
due until: 25 March 2024
notice of
acceptance: 15 April 2024
contact: