Synopsis
The date palm has been a vital crop in the Near East and North Africa for millennia. Its economic, symbolic, and artistic significance is reflected in the geometric and archaic art of Cyprus and surrounding regions. In ceramics, seals, and sarcophagi, it appears as a fruit-bearing tree, shade provider, and harvest symbol. Depictions of palms with birds, vessels, or platforms suggest practical use, protection, and ritual contexts. This iconographic diversity highlights the palm’s central role in daily life and visual culture of ancient civilizations.

