Oldest Cyprus temple to be confirmed

Published Mar 27, 2009

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Nicosia, Cyprus - An Italian archaeologist says she's discovered the oldest religious site on Cyprus. Authorities on the island say they cannot confirm her claim yet.

Maria Rosaria-Belgiorno told the English-language The Cyprus Weekly on Friday the 4 000-year-old triangular temple predates any other found on Cyprus by a millennium.

Rosaria-Belgiorno heads an Italian archaeological mission in Cyprus. She says evidence points to a monotheistic temple with a sacrificial altar.

It was discovered last year outside Pyrgos, a village near the south coast, where previous digs unearthed an ancient perfumery.

Cyprus Antiquities Department official Maria Hadjicosti told state radio the claim cannot be confirmed before further examination. - Sapa-AP

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