Khirokitia

Khirokitia

Χοιροκοιτία, Chœrocœtía
View of Khirokitia
Location within Cyprus
Alternative name	Choirokoitia
Location	Larnaca District, Cyprus
Coordinates	34°47′48.21″N 33°20′37.39″E / 34.7967250°N 33.3437194°E / 34.7967250; 33.3437194
Management	Cyprus Department of Antiquities
UNESCO World Heritage Site
Official name	Choirokoitia
Type	Cultural
Criteria	ii, iii, iv
Designated	1998 (22ns session), modified 2012
Reference no.	848bis
Region	Europe and North America

Khirokitia (sometimes spelled Choirokoitia; Greek: Χοιροκοιτία [çiɾociˈti.a], suggested meaning Pig-cradle, from χοίρος 'pig, boar' + κοιτίς 'place of origin, cradle') is an archaeological site on the island of Cyprus dating from the Neolithic age. It has been listed as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO since 1998.^[1] The site is known as one of the most important and best preserved prehistoric sites of the eastern Mediterranean. Much of its importance lies in the evidence of an organised functional society in the form of a collective settlement, with surrounding fortifications for communal protection. The Neolithic aceramic period is represented by this settlement and around 20 other similar settlements spread throughout the island.^[2]