DESCRIPTION:

The village is enclosed within a wall, or rather successive walls. The construction and maintenance of these walls was a major undertaking, and must have represented a significant collective effort.

The first enclosure wall was uncovered to a length of 180 m. and at some points was preserved to a height of nearly 4 m. Reconstructed several times, it consists of a massive earthen structure faced with stones.

The function of this wall was most likely to emphasize the cohesion of the community rather than to ensure the defence against enemies, human or animal, of which there is no evidence.

At some point in the village's history, the outline of its limits was modified.

The newly built enclosure has been uncovered to a length of nearly 80 m. It is an impressive stone wall, 2.5 m. thick and preserved to a height of 2-3- m. Flat stones jut out of the wall, most probably supports for maintaining the earthen coating.

ACCESS TO THE VILLAGE

Two entrances to the village were discovered, one for the early village and the other for the more recent one. Only the latter could be completely excavated. This complex structure, unique in Cyprus and the Near East, comprises a staircase constructed in a massive stone structure against the enclosure wall.

The narrow entrance and the perfectly preserved mud plaster on the steps preclude the passage of animals. Therefore, we think animals were kept outside the village.

300-400 inhabitants

All these structures visible today were not used at the same time. Seen together, they may give a false impression of the population of the village, which may be estimated to have been 300-400 people.