Archaeologists discover "countless" pottery offerings at hilltop sanctuary on island of Kythnos

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A hilltop sanctuary on Kythnos Island in the Aegean Sea has been excavated by archaeologists, revealing "countless" pottery offerings left by worshippers over the years, Greece’s Culture Ministry announced on Wednesday.







More:
https://greekcitytimes.com/2023/06/08/archaeologists-discover-countless-pottery-offerings-at-hilltop-sanctuary-on-island-of-kythnos/

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Over 2,000 Clay Figurines Discovered In The Ancient City Of Kythnos
AncientPages.com | June 10, 2023 |

Jan Bartek - AncientPages.com - The ancient city of Kythnos on the Aegean Sea island has long fascinated archaeologists. The site, first inhabited about 10,000 years ago, has some of the oldest prehistoric settlements in the Cyclades.

In a press statement, Greece’s Culture Ministry has announced archaeologists excavating at Kythnos have made major discoveries. More than 2,000 intact or almost complete clay figurines. Most of the ancient artifacts depict women and children, but some were also produced in the image of male actors and animals such as tortoises, lions, pigs, and birds.

The ancient figurines were unearthed near a temple complex which suggests the objects were offerings left by ancient worshippers. The sanctuary was dedicated to Demeter, the ancient Greek goddess of agriculture, and her daughter Persephone.

At the site, scientists also unearthed several lamps of the Archaic-Roman period and poly hybrid ritual lighting vessels, ring-shaped "horns" with epithets, miniature vases, and luxury pottery imported from other parts of Greece. The ancient votive offerings include copper, silver, bone, glass jewelry, marble, and alabaster vessels. Some bronze Roman coins have also been found (e.g., Trajan's Sestertius, after 106 AD, and Diocletian's coin of 285 AD). However, a silver Kythnian coin with the head of Apollo on the obverse and a lyre on the reverse is of special interest, as the Kythnian coins of the Hellenistic period known to date are all bronze.

More:
https://www.ancientpages.com/2023/06/10/ancient-city-of-kythnos/