Cyprus' oldest temple excavated. It houses a mysterious monolith, skeleton of a woman

An archaeological excavation has left the people on the Mediterranean island of Cyprus stunned after the officials unearthed a 4000-year-old temple which featured a mysterious monolith and had the skeleton of a young woman, who was said to have been brutally murdered.

A team of Italian researchers made the historic discoveries in the Bronze Agesettlement. Archaeologist Luca Bombardieri, who had worked on the site for 15 years, led the excavation.

Bombardieri was leading the research project which was carried out by the University of Siena, Italy, in collaboration with the Department of Antiquities of Cyprus. He was able to find the remains of the sacred temple at the archaeological site of Erimi, which is located in south-central Cyprus.

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"During the Middle Bronze Age (around 2000-1600 BC) a community of artisans chose to settle on the Erimi hill and build a community living space with very particular characteristics," said Bombardieri, in a University of Siena press release.

Here's what researchers found inside the temple

Bombardieri and his team found a very smooth monolith, which was more than sevenfeet in height, inside a room. There was also a motif at the centre of the monolith.

"The monolith, which originally stood in the centre of the room, collapsed onto the floor and destroyed a large amphora placed at its feet in front of a small circular hearth," said Bombardieri, in the statement.

"The peculiarities of this [room]... indicate that it is a small sacred space. The activity that supported the community economically, also involved its members ideologically and symbolically," he added.

He said that this small room was the "oldest sacred space ever found on the island". The people in the Bronze Age are likely to have illuminated the monolith "day and night".

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"Recent excavations have led to the discovery of the oldest sacred building attested in Cyprus, whose ritual function and ideological value seem to be of particular significance," said Bombardieri.

Meanwhile, the remains of a young woman were found “sealed” up in the building,as reported by All that’s Interesting.

The skull was smashed and a heavy stone was placed on her breast, “as if to keep her still,” said Bombardieri, adding that thedoor of the small house where thewoman had beenfound was carefully sealed shut.

Bombardieri said that the killing may have happened between 2000 and 1600 BC and that this femicide “may be linked to other cases recorded in the past in other parts of Cyprus,” in which women were killed “perhaps for issues linked to maternity.”

(With inputs from agencies)