King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima of The Netherlands on Wednesday visited the neolithic settlement of Choirokoitia, an Unesco world heritage monument in Larnaca district, occupied from the 7th to the 4th millennium BC.

The Dutch royal couple showed an interest in the prehistoric site and its preservation and was also briefed on excavations at Chloraka-Palloures Chalcolithic site in Paphos by Leiden University.

During the tour, Deputy Culture Minister Vasiliki Kassianidou and director of the Antiquities Department Georgios Georgiou referred to the importance of the site and how it needed special attention due to the fact that it was situated on a steep slope.

In statements to the press, Kassianidou said many Cypriots were studying in The Netherlands, mainly in fine arts, music, film and archaeology.

She added that the Dutch university of Leiden was carrying out excavations in Paphos and expressed hope that more universities from The Netherlands would bring teams to Cyprus’ archaeological sites.

On arrival at the Choirokoitia, the royal couple met with Dutch nationals living in Cyprus, who wanted to meet their king and queen in person.