Cyprus Anatolia relations in The Early Iron Age

Being one of the closest neighbors of the Anatolian peninsula, the island of Cyprus has managed to be the center of attention for ages in terms of both its geopolitical position and significant raw material resources. As a passagepoint, the island has established close relations with Anatolia, going as far back as the early ages, and these relations generated some intercultural interactions. The most extensive relations were observed in the Late Bronze Age. However, in the second half of the second millennium BC, the Aegean Migrations took place, which caused historical and social changes on numerous civilizations from Anatolia to Egypt. As a result of this migration wave, cultural components of Anatolia changed drastically, the Hittite Empire collapsed and ended their hegemony on the island of Cyprus and led new kingdoms to be born. On the other hand, new states emerged in Anatolia like the Neo-Hittite states, Phrygia, Urartu, Lydia and Lykia. Following the migrations, a period named The Dark Age took place and is thought to have lasted two centuries. Even though the economic activities continued, the absence of the writings and limited data has led to uncertainty of the level of economic and cultural activities in the Early Iron Age. This research addresses the cultural and economic relations between Anatolia and Cyprus in the Early Iron Age. Intercultural relations were analyzed in the light of the archeological findings derived mainly from Anatolia's coast sides.