their fine construction. Recently, six unique life-size, limestone, undamaged sculptures were discovered in the royal necropolis, of which two represented sphinxes and four represented lions in a crouching position. The exquisite sculptures date from the 6th century BC. Tamassos today The area where Tamassos once stood now is home to the villages of Psimolofou, Episkopeio, Pera Orinis, Ergates, Politiko, Kampia, Analyontas, and Kapedes are located. For the past few centuries, they have developed from being poor agricultural villages housing some 10 families, to populations of 1000 inhabitants. Pera Orinis and Politiko retain much of the older buildings of the older settlements at the centre of the villages, which are deemed to be of high cultural significance. Highlights of these include the church of Panagia Odigitria, the Old Mill, the Parthenagogion and Arenagogion, as well as the recently restore chapel of St George of Pera Orinis, and the famous Tombs of the Kings of the village of Politiko. See also Tamassos bilinguals References External links Archeological Sites: Tamassos - Department of Antiquities of the Republic of Cyprus Archeological findings of Tamassos at the British Museum Rare Cypriot Sculptures found in Tamassos - archeology.org, a publication of the Archaeological Institute of America tamassos.org - History and culture of the area; list of churches etc. Weapons, Tools and Ritual Remains - Ashmolean Museum, Oxford Information and photos of Tamassos Cities in ancient Cyprus Former populated places in Cyprus Catholic titular sees in Europe Phoenician colonies in Cyprus