The first Cypriots came from the Near/Middle East and Asia Minor, more than 12,000 years ago. This is supported by history/archaeology and by genetics studies.

Who were the original Cypriots?

The Greek Cypriots, who constitute nearly four-fifths of the population, descended from a mixture of aboriginal inhabitants and immigrants from the Peloponnese who colonized Cyprus starting about 1200 bc and assimilated subsequent settlers up to the 16th century.

Who settled Cyprus first?

The first of these are believed to have been the Achaean Greeks who arrived in around 1200 BC introducing their language, religion and customs to the island. Cyprus was subsequently colonised by the Phoenicians, the Assyrians, the Egyptians and the Persians.