Lempa, Cyprus

A Chalcolithic settlement near Paphos, Cyprus, dating to c. 3500-2400 BC, excavated since 1976 by the University of Edinburgh. Excavations revealed seven mainly circular structures (3-16 m diameter), with larger buildings containing central hearths of stone covered in lime plaster. The most significant find was the Lady of Lempa, a well-preserved limestone figurine emphasising female anatomy, possibly indicating a fertility cult. Miniature replicas found in other houses suggest widespread domestic ritual practices. An experimental village recreating Chalcolithic buildings was established in 1982 for research into prehistoric construction and pyrotechnology.