Nicosia - Excavations at Politiko-Troullia have revealed extensive evidence of the Bronze Age community that was the predecessor of ancient Tamassos, the seat of a centrally important kingdom during the subsequent Iron Age.

Archaeologists also unearthed a nearly-complete askos bird figurine, most commonly found in tombs, in the village courtyard.

Politiko-Troullia is situated about 25 km southwest of Nicosia, near Ayios Irakleidios Monastery in the copper-bearing foothills of the Troodos Mountains The digs were conducted under the direction of Dr Steven Falconer and Dr Patricia Fall of La Trobe University.

The excavations brought to light a pair of large communal structures, plus a series of surrounding households.

A village courtyard lay adjacent to a lengthy alleyway, which was paved with layer upon layer of broken potsherds, animal bones and other debris discarded by inhabitants.

The village courtyard provided the most striking artefact excavated in 2013: a nearly-complete askos bird figurine. This large figurine depicts a quail-like bird, missing only its head or spout. This find is particularly intriguing, since askos figurines are most commonly found in tomb deposits. This askos is one component of several lines of evidence suggesting communal, perhaps commemorative behaviors in open public settings at the heart of this Bronze Age settlement.