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Cyprus News Agency: News in English, 10-01-14Cyprus News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Cyprus News Agency at <http://www.cyna.org.cy>CONTENTS
[01] TOURISM ARRIVALS - DECLINETourist arrivals in 2009, compared to 2008, marked a 10.9% drop, according to the Statistical Service of the Republic. In numbers, arrivals fell to 2.141.193 in 2009, compared to 2.403.750 in 2008.According to the results of the Travelers Survey, tourist arrivals in December 2009 dropped by 8.2% 66,201, compared to 72,127 in December of 2008. A 10.3% drop in arrivals from the UK was registered last December, (26,595 in December 2009 compared to the corresponding period in 2008) and a 7.8% drop from Germany, (6,040 compared to 6,551 in 2008). On the contrary, arrivals from Greece marked a 3.2% increase (from 11, 031 in December 2008 to 11,381 in December 2009). [02] EXCAVATIONS FINDINGSThe Ministry of Communications and Works, Department of Antiquities, announces the completion of the 2009 excavations at the site of Ayia Varvara-Asprokremnos, conducted under the direction of Dr. Carole McCartney with the support of the University of Cyprus.This years excavations saw the unearthing of the earliest currently known structure belonging to the Neolithic period of Cyprus. The site of Asprokremnos provides the first dated site illustrating the occupation of Cyprus during the beginning phase of the Neolithic, documenting evidence of an Early Neolithic or Pre-Pottery Neolithic A as it is known in mainland sequences. This very early phase of the Neolithic shown at Asprokremnos is currently dated by radio-carbon to between 8,800-8,600 BC cal predating previously known Neolithic sites on Cyprus by between 400-600 years. Excavations during 2009 continued to unearth evidence of significant manufacturing activity associated with the production of lithic tools including beautifully made arrowheads and a large array of ground stone tools used for the processing of ochre pigment and the likely processing of plants for subsistence. Of major significance was the uncovering of parts of a substantial curvilinear semi-subterranean structure that dominates the northern end of the site. The character of both the structure and its unique assemblage of finds provide significant parallels to other Early Neolithic sites across the Near East, establishing important links between Cyprus and the Levant during the 9th millennium cal BC and crucial evidence concerning the development of the Neolithic both on Cyprus and across the Near East. [03] BAGHDATIS AUSTRALIA SEMI FINALSCypriot tennis player Marcos Baghdatis exhibited one of his best performances so far on Australian ground and knocked Australian Lleyton Hewitt out of the MediBank International Sydney, with a 4-6, 6-2, 6-3 quarter-final victory.Baghdatis started the match being down 1-3, came back saving two set points at 4-5 of the first set. However, he did not manage to gain the break point and bring the game to 5-5, losing the first set 6-4. From then and on, it was the Cypriot champion who took control of the game, winning the next two sets easily 6-2 and 6-3 and the ticket to the semi-finals of the tournament. Baghdatis will now face the winner of the game between Australian Peter Luczak and American Mardy Fish. Cyprus News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |