Why is Choirokotia Neolithic Settlement a “must-visit” on your next visit to Cyprus? Choirokoitia is, quite simply, mind-blowing. How many places on the earth can you see how people lived 9,000 years ago? Here’s the complete guide to discovering this important neolithic settlement. And while it doesn’t take long to see Choirokoitia, this UNESCO World Heritage site has few known parallels. So if you love digging around in the past, be prepared to be excited and amazed!
How to Pronounce Choirokoitia and its Meaning
First things first- how on earth do you pronounce Choirokoitia? It’s certainly a mouthful.
In Greek, it is written as Χοιροκοιτία, while it is often written as Khirokitia in English. The correct pronunciation is “hi-ro-ki-tí-a.”
There are many myths and legends behind the name of the village, but most suggest the name comes from the words pig (χοίρος) and cradle (κοιτίς), suggesting that here pigs were raised.
Other opinions suggest that the initial name of Choirokoita was “Sidirokitida,” meaning an area where iron was found, “Khirogetia,” referring to the art of palmistry, and “Ierokitida,” which means sacred place.
How to Visit the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Choirokoitia
Choirokoitia lies just off the main highway between Limassol and Larnaca and is less than a 30-minute drive from Larnaca Airport, the main airport in Cyprus.
It is 6 km (3.7 miles) inland from the southern coast but was once much closer to the sea.
There’s a car park, a little cafe with a lovely lady selling homemade biscuits and terrible coffee, a clean and modern toilet block, and a ticket office.
Another way to get to Choirokoitia is using public transportation if you’re not so keen on renting a car.
There are direct buses to the Choirokoitia Neolithic Settlement from Larnaca, Limassol, and Nicosia, while from Paphos, you’ll need to make a change either at Limassol or Nicosia.
From Larnaca, you can take the bus line 45 from Nikou Kai Despoinas Pattichi Ave. – Arachovas, while from Limassol, you can take the same line from Tzelal Bagiar – Agios Antonios Church 2.
The trip to Choirokoitia from both Larnaca and Limassol is about 40 minutes.
From Nicosia, you can take the bus line 25 from Dionysios Solomos Square. The trip is about 50 minutes.
Once you arrive at the station, you’ll need to hike for about 10 minutes to get to the settlement. Then, past the ticket office, you’ll spot the reconstructed dwellings, which is where to start.
Why Choirokoitia is So Mind Blowing
If you’ve had a few holidays in the Mediterranean region, you’ll know it is full of blockbuster UNESCO World Heritage Sites, and Cyprus is loaded with incredible archaeological sites.
But Choirokoitia is different. To start with, it is spectacularly old. In fact, it’s in the top 9 most ancient sites in the world.
When you see the replicas of the animal remains and human burials as well as the staggered hillside constructions with their hidden valley beyond, it’s impossible not to be impressed by the age of the site and the ingenuity of this little community.
This little village shows how the culture of Asia spread into the Mediterranean, making it one of the most important prehistoric sites in the eastern Mediterranean.
The neolithic settlement of Choirokoitia is one of the oldest archaeological sites that showcase an organized, functional society in the form of a collective settlement in the eastern Mediterranean.
In the 9th millennium B.C., a group of farmers from the “near East” mainland set up a large settlement that covered about 3 hectares.
It was built on a hill, but not just any – the settlers chose a hill partly enclosed by a loop in the Maroni River, meaning that a verdant valley lay hidden behind the hill from anyone approaching from the sea.
The community they set up successfully provided shelter for their circular houses, protection from pirates, and plentiful food and water, making it an incredibly smart and advanced neolithic society that showcases the evolution of civilization across the eastern Mediterranean.
The Reconstructed Dwellings
The site was discovered by the Director of the Department of Antiquities in Cyprus in 1934. Part of what’s so great about this site is the low-key way it’s presented.
The site has been built on a hillside and on the summit of a hill and apart from two protective coverings near the summit, the site has not been significantly stuffed up by successive waves of dodgy “repairs” and “improvements.”
As mentioned above, the village was perched on a hill overlooking the sea, while the hill gave way to a valley unseen from the sea or along the coast. Therefore, based on the village’s location as well as its remains, it’s obvious the habitants were expert farmers, cultivating the land and raising animals.
Given how little remains of this ancient neolithic site, it’s much easier to picture how the village looked because of the small circular buildings with flat roofs and narrow entranceways.
When you arrive at the site you immediately see several circular buildings. These reconstructed houses are built with the same materials and the same construction methods that were used to build the Choiroikoitia homes.
Also, within the reconstructed houses, you can find replicas of the objects found in the original buildings, creating the perfect Neolithic atmosphere.
Similarly, the outer decor of the restored village was made according to the findings, such as wooden fortification architecture, cobblestone streets, a traditional basket weaving workshop, an olive oil mill, as well as flora and fauna found back in the Neolithic times.
The Archaeological Remains of the Neolithic Settlement of Choiroikitia
Choirokoitia is a fascinating site, and although it might not look like much, there are plenty of things about this exceptional archaeological reserve that make it a globally important prehistoric archaeological site.
Based on the foundations and evidence found within the houses, the community was home to about 300 people.
These people are believed to have moved to the village and the whole island from the Middle East and has been proven to have common cultural habits with settlements from other Middle Eastern sites.
These people were most likely Cyprus’ first inhabitants.
Based on the archaeological findings, each family had more than one hut, as each was treated as a room rather than a house.
Several huts would open onto a central outdoor space that was used for cooking and socializing.
Apart from Choirokoitia’s complex architectural system, archaeologists found within the buildings tools made from bone and flint, stone vessels, and even simple figurines of deities.
Most of these figurines depicted forms of female deities, indicating that this could be the origin of the famous goddess from Cyprus, Aphrodite.
Another interesting finding in Choirokoitia, never seen in other similar settlements, is the custom of burying their dead in their huts.
Researchers believe this custom symbolized how greatly they valued family since they wished to keep their loved ones close forever, physically and emotionally.
Tips for Visiting Choirokoitia
The Choirokoitia Neolithic Settlement is not large, so it doesn’t take that long to explore the central part of the site.
It’s approximately a 2-kilometer circular trail and there is only limited information provided.
The trail is not wheelchair-friendly because it is straight up! The trail is a concrete set of platforms and steps with handrails to the left-hand side of the excavated area. The path leads to the summit of the hill where a roof covers further excavations.
However, the area with the reconstructed houses is accessible to all, allowing you to have a first-hand experience of this magnificent neolithic village.
But be aware that as the site has no shade, especially in the summer, it can get very hot, so keep in mind to bring water and sun protection. If you want to avoid the heat, visit Choirokoitia early in the morning or later in the afternoon.
I always make a quick visit to Choirokoitia on my way from Paphos to Larnaca Airport.
Final Thoughts about Visiting Choirokoitia
Unquestionably, Choirokoitia is a must-visit for anyone seeking to delve into the fascinating long history of the island and enjoy a captivating journey back in time. Choitokoitia is an absolute must-visit for those interested in learning about the evolution of civilizations and human stories.
So, in other words, make sure to include Choirokoitia in your travel itinerary!
