Cypriot Ancient Artifacts: Island Influences on the Levantine Coast

Cyprus served as a central hub for trade during the Bronze Age. The Mediterranean island lay between Anatolia, Egypt, and the Levant, which made it a strategic point for trade and cultural exchanges. One of the most significant ancient artifacts produced and exported by the Cypriots was pottery. The Cypriot ceramic artifacts were not only functional but also symbols of identity, conveying artistic influence between Cyprus and the coastal cities of Canaan. This influence was most strongly felt along the Levantine coast, where Cypriot pottery played a significant role in shaping local material culture. Exploring the interactions between Cyprus and its coastal cities is essential, as it provides a better understanding of the dynamics of cross-cultural exchanges in the ancient world.

Cyprus as a Bronze Age Trade Center

Cyprus played a vital role in regional trade, primarily due to its strategic location and abundant natural resources. The island was known for its copper mines, one of its main exports. The Cypriots mined, refined, and exported copper in ingot form (Drakopoulos, 2025). However, copper was not the only item that Cyprus was famous for. Other trade goods from Cyprus included perfumes, olive oil, wine, textiles, and pottery. Ports like Kition, Hala Sultan Tekke, and Enkomi served as centers of exchange between Anatolian traders, Egyptian and Aegean envoys, and other Levantine merchants. As a result of these intricate trade-based interactions, Cypriot culture became more cosmopolitan and hybrid.

Fig. 1: Map of Ancient Cyprus

Cypriot Pottery

One of the most notable ancient artifacts from Cyprus was its pottery. The ceramic vessels were made of locally sourced clay, and were finely polished. These ancient artifacts were used to hold grains, perfumes, and oils.  In the early Bronze Age, the ancient vessels were predominantly red and polished in appearance (Boness et al., 2015). The surfaces were highly polished with elaborate geometric patterns. In the Middle Bronze Age, Cypriot vessels adopted a white-painted nature with dark geometric patterns. By the late Bronze Age, the ship took on a more distinct appearance. There were Base-Ring vessels, mainly used for rituals, which were made from molds and took on animal forms. There were also White slipware, mainly in the form of milk bowls, which became major Cypriot exports.

Fig. 2: Cypriot Pottery

Cypriot Influence on Coastal Canaanite Cities

In the Middle and Late Bronze Age, coastal cities in Canaan such as Tyre, Byblos, Sidon, Ugarit, and Ashkelon were important trade centers. While these cities were politically independent, they were culturally connected and formed part of the Levantine corridor. This corridor served as a vital link to Egypt, Mesopotamia, and the Aegean world. The trade route connected these regions, allowing for the exchange of commodities and cultures.

Ancient Cypriot artifacts have been discovered in most of these cities, a connection between Cyprus and the Levant. White Slip and Base-Ring Cypriot vessels have been found in several temples, tombs, and palaces in Ugarit (Boness et al., 2015). Archaeologists have established that these vessels were primarily used for ritual ceremonies and as diplomatic gifts to royalty.

Additionally, Cypriot ceramics had a significant impact on local pottery traditions. Some Levantine potters drew inspiration from ancient Cypriot shapes and motifs to design their ceramic ware. This stylistic assimilation paved the way for hybrid forms, which combined local materials with foreign design patterns to create sophisticated artifacts.

Fig. 3: White Slip Vessel

Cypriot Ancient Artifacts and Cross-Cultural Exchange

Ancient artifacts such as ceramics are clear indications of the interaction between Cyprus and its mainland neighbors. These artifacts were not only tools of trade but also served as agents of cultural and artistic exchanges. While Levantine potters borrowed from Cypriot culture, their influence was also felt in Cyprus (Hellenic Museum, 2024). Egyptian amulets and scarabs, as well as Mycenaean-style pots, have been discovered on Cyprus from the Late Bronze Age, indicating that the Cypriots also borrowed from their neighbors. These cross-cultural interactions also led to the development of the Cypro-Minoan script. The bull was a common motif in religious practices and iconography in both Cypriot and Canaanite art, appearing in temple architecture, pottery, figurines, and seals. This shared iconography shows that cultural exchanges were multidirectional.

Conclusion

Ancient artifacts, particularly ceramics, offer profound insights into Cyprus's role during the Bronze Age. As a major trade center, Cyprus served as a link between Anatolia, Egypt, and the Levant. Cross-cultural exchanges in the region influenced religious practices, artistic designs, and language development. By studying the ancient artifacts discovered in Cyprus, we gain a better understanding of human creativity, interaction, and the interconnected nature of the ancient eastern Mediterranean world.

References

Boness, D., Clarke, J., & Goren, Y. (2015). Ceramic Neolithic pottery in Cyprus—origin, technology and possible implications for social structure and identity. Levant, 47(3), 233–254. https://doi.org/10.1080/00758914.2015.1105480

Drakopoulos, A. (2025, April 6). The Bronze Age ingot, which sold for $208,250. Ancient Cyprus: History & Archeology. https://www.ancientcyprus.com/articles/bronze-age-ingot-sold

Hellenic Museum. (2024, April 8). The curious case of Cypriot pottery. https://www.hellenic.org.au/post/the-curious-case-of-cypriot-pottery