The Archaeological Museum, located in the centre of Larnaca, the third largest settlement in Cyprus, is an ideal place for lovers of antiquity. It has a rich collection of antiquities found in the area where the city now stands.
The museum was established in 1969 with only two exhibition halls, but was significantly expanded between 1987 and 1988. The museum's collection consists of objects from various historical eras, from the Neolithic period to Roman times. Most of them were found at the sites of the ancient settlements of Hirokitia (Kirokittia) and Tenta. Surprisingly, these settlements were founded before the seafaring period, which immediately raised a lot of questions about how people were able to get from the mainland to the island. Over time, scientists have come to the conclusion that Cyprus became an island after a strong earthquake, and before that was one with the territory of Syria.
A special place in the collection are items found on the territory of the ancient city of Kition, the ruins of which are located about 1 kilometre from the museum building, so visitors can even watch the process of excavation, which is still ongoing. Thus, several fine alabaster vases, coins, lamps, statues and tools were found there.
In the two main halls of the museum you can see ivory, ceramics, faience and alabaster, fragments of columns, statues of pagan gods, reconstructions of ancient dwellings and buildings.
