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The polychromy of limestone and terracotta statues from Cyprus attributed to the sixth to fifth centuries bc is analysed using non- and micro-invasive techniques in order to shed light on the use of pigments during the studied period. The strengths and limitations of these methods for the present application are discussed. The identified pigments are iron-containing compounds (red, yellow, green earths and iron-manganese black). No copper-containing compounds were detected on the studied objects, despite the wide availability of copper minerals in Cyprus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]