Waterways and the political geography of South-East Cyprus in the second millennium B.C.

Michael Brown The Annual of the British School at Athens 108 (2013): 121-136.

Abstract

This paper explores the role of waterways in shaping the settlement landscape of south-east Cyprus during the second millennium BC. Particular emphasis is placed on the proposed use of the Gialias river, in conjunction with overland portages, for transporting bulk commodities from the island’s interior to the coast. The geopolitical characteristics of Alashiya, as known from eastern Mediterranean court correspondence, are considered with reference to adjacent riverine and maritime regions. A dominant trend of continuity in settlement and societal development is identified for south-east Cyprus as a whole throughout the period under review.