Copper Trade, EUROPA Issue Europe and Discoveries, Republic of Cyprus

Copper Trade, EUROPA Issue Europe and Discoveries, Republic of Cyprus

Postage stamps--Cyprus--History

Γραμματόσημα--Κύπρος--Ιστορία

Whether copper gave its name to Cyprus or vice versa is a disputed point, but the fact remains that the discovery and exploitation of copper between 3000 B.C. and 1000 B.C. had both a great impact on trade and to a large extent an effect on Cypriot civilization. Riches and wealth were being accumulated from the exports of this metal. By 1750 B.C. Cypriot copper was reaching Mesopotamia and Egyptian records from the 14th century B.C. refer to copper shipments. The shipwreck found near Uluburn, Turkey, provided he clearest glimpse of the Bronze Age trade in the Mediterranean. The ship, most probably a merchant one, yielded the single largest cargo of bronze age copper and tin ingots. Some ten tons of copper ingots and one ton of tin ingots were recovered. Tree-ring dating of a piece of firewood found on board suggested that the ship had sunk around 1300 B.C. The copper ingots were in the shape depicted on this stamp. (Extract from: L.Bonfante and V. Karageorghis, Italy and Cyprus in Antiquity 1500-450 B.C.) In ancient times Tamassos had abundant copper mines and was an important mining centre. In 12 B.C. the mines of Soloi were exploited by Herod the Great for the benefit of the Romans from whom he had leased them. Polis whose ancient name was Arsinoe Marion was the headquarters for the trade with the West. In the first half of the 20th century copper from the Skouriotissa mines was exported from the port of Karavostassi. In 1958 exports of cupreous concentrates amounted to 115,125 long tons and of cupreous pyrites to 228,821 long tons.

Cyprus Post, Republic of Cyprus

Κυπριακά Ταχυδρομεία, Κυπριακή Δημοκρατία

Cyprus Post, Republic of Cyprus

Κυπριακά Ταχυδρομεία, Κυπριακή Δημοκρατία

Library of Cyprus University of Technology

Digital Heritage Research Lab of Cyprus University of Technology

1st March 1994

Designer: G. Simonis

Απαγορεύεται η δημοσίευση ή αναπαραγωγή, ηλεκτρονική ή άλλη χωρίς τη γραπτή συγκατάθεση του δημιουργού.

www.cypruspost.gov.cy

TIFF

EL, EN

Image

1994-EUROPA-30C

35.160417, 33.346556

Alex Matsoukis, Athens