[ad_1]
The results of the collaborative excavation of the Department of Archeology of the Department of History, Archeology and Social Anthropology of the University of Thessaly and of the Ephorato of Antiquities of the Cyclades of the Ministry of Culture and Sports were important. the ancient city of Kythnos, from June 29 to July 31
The place has been inhabited continuously since the 12th century BC. Until the 7th century AD, while now there are clear indications of the presence Cycladic installation from 3rd millennium BC (fig. 1-2). The works focused on the three areas investigated since 2018: the monumental sanctuary of the geometric-classical period, the elongated building 2 of late antiquity and the early Byzantine basilica with three naves.
At ancient shrine (figure 3-4) found in 2019, the investigation was limited to the excavation of undisturbed layers with the aim, on the one hand, of dating the construction of the monumental ascent and, on the other hand, of a better understanding of the nature of the cult. As in last year’s research, high-quality ceramics from geometric and archaic times were collected (figure 5). The forms are mostly small and closed, such as hydria, wine glasses and jugs, while the miniatures are not lacking. The finds include some clay figurines, mainly female figures, and some bronze votive offerings, such as miniature buckles and other jewelry (figure 6). These findings refer more to a female deity. Furthermore, they lead to the conclusion that the ascension was built in classical times in order to create a terrace for the construction of a temple, of which only a few carvings in the rhizome rock survive as the Byzantine settlement developed. early in the areain the last phase of use of space belongs an integral lamp, fig. 7). To the east there was a monumental altar carved out of natural rock, today badly eroded.
In the second sector, the inauguration of building complex 2 was completed early byzantine times (fig. 3 close-up). It consists of a linear fortified enclosure, with a total length of 76 meters. The wall, with an average width of 1.20-1.50 meters, blocks the only access to the islet towards the old port. On its inner side there are 15 rectangular rooms in a row (B-IST), each with an entrance to the interior of the islet.
The initial phase of the fortifications and sites appears to date back at least to the archaic period, but this year an in-depth investigation could not be carried out to clarify the phases of the building complex. Approximately in the middle of the length of the complex (Room H) an entrance door was discovered, accessible through a wall. Inside, next to the entrance, there is a small room with a storage pit by country and next to it a food preparation area (figure 8). Nearby, within the walled area, an ugly tank / cistern, similar to the ones in Vryokastro, was discovered crushed to a height.
The northernmost room in the complex (Room B), built on the cliff (fig. 2 right), due to its strong construction it must have mainly had a fortification character. Amongst the tumbled stones from the superstructure of this room was found an interesting honorary inscription relating to a Kleineto from Aetolia and related to a well-known incident which is attested by inscriptions previously found in Athena (IG II2 682 and 549), which refer to the pirate Glauketis who had captured Κύθνο at the end of the IV a. C. century (fig. 9). The inscription confirms an earlier hypothesis that Glauketis had the support of the Macedonians and was eventually driven out by the Athenians. On the wall of adjoining room C, a wall of a marble statue of a man (figure 10). Pair of similar pimples from another marble male statue (figure 11), as well as two inscribed stones (figs. 12, 13), were found in the demolition of another room (of IG), apparently all in second use. Registrations are very important. One, in Doric dialect (figure 12), is a resolution of the Municipality of Kythnia that establishes some construction restrictions as well as the fine that theorists will charge in case of violation. The other long inscription is honorary and refers to the important honors bestowed by the Kythnia City Council and Parliament on a person, whose name is unfortunately not saved (figure 13). It is interesting that in the second use in the fortification of the early Byzantine complex (at the height of Room D) a marble pedestal of a statue was discovered that in its front part keeps cavities in a circular arrangement, apparently for the fixation of two contiguous crownsfigure 14).
Finally, the excavation of the exterior and perimeter of the three-naved early Byzantine basilica was aimed at further highlighting the monument, as well as investigating the presence of additions (figure 15). The limits of the arch were erased and, outside, at the junction of the north nave with the arch of the sanctuary, a marble frill of an Ionic column was discovered placed in a vertical position (figure 16). The wall touches at right angles to the west side of the splint. More walls were seen on the south side of the church: a narrow passage runs parallel to its southern wall and leads to the southern entrance to the narthex, but also to a small horseshoe-shaped area just to the west. Even more western walls appeared outside the SW corner of the narthex. The marble members were used as spolia in the building. For security reasons, some of them, such as the fragments of a lion-shaped tablecloth (figure 17), were bricked up and transferred to the archaeological collection of Chora.
The excavation program is carried out under the direction of the Professor of Classical Archeology. Alexandrou Mazarakis Ainianos and the Cyclades Superintendent of Antiquities, Dr. Dimitris Athanasoulis. Due to the circumstances, a small number of postgraduate and graduate students in archeology from the Universities of Thessaly, EKPA, AUTh, Ioannina and Paris 4 participated in the research (figure 18). The research was funded this year by University of Thessaly, the GG Aegean and Island Policy and sponsored by Mr. Thanasis Martinou. Kythnos Township awarded Chora Elementary School this year for program needs. The captain of the “Marble Express” provided ferry tickets to members of the investigation team.
News Today:
John Legend … included it in the song when he learned that Biden “moved on” in Georgia – Watch video
Coronavirus Death Toll Rises – Six New Deaths Today
How to pay the Christmas gift: “Scissors” by 20% for high-wage employees who were suspended
