Tamassos is an ancient city-state of great archaeological significance in the central vicinity of Cyprus, located approximately 21 kilometeres south-west of the capital city of Nicosia. The city-state prospered mainly because of its mines, from which metals (mostly copper, Cyprus' chief export in the ancient world) were extracted. However, Tamassos has managed to survive throughout the ages, despite the fact that all copper mines were exhausted, and is now believed to remain buried under the village of Politiko.
