Archaeologists Make Stunning New Discoveries on Kythnos

The Department of History, Archaeology and Social Anthropology of the University of Thessaly announced recently, the findings of the excavation of two stunning Classical-Hellenistic buildings at the ancient city of Kythnos (Vryokastro). According to the report, there were probably sanctuaries of Asclepius and Aphrodite coexisting on a hill overlooking the Aegean.

Of particular importance in the results of the systematic excavation at the ancient city of Kythnos (today’s “Vryokastro”), was the area of the ancient port, on the islet “Βρυοκαστράκι” or the ‘nose’ of the peninsula, once a narrow isthmus connected the islet and the main island. Also among the Archaeologist’s findings were clay figurines of women’s and children’s figures and many marble sections, along with a tribute to the god of healing, a beautiful statuette of half-naked Aphrodite, along with many other artifacts which attest to scientist’s theories. Researchers now say the site in the Cyclades was inhabited since the 10th century B.C. Alexandros Mazarakis Ainian, a professor of Classical Archeology at the Department of History, Archeology and Social Anthropology of the University of Thessaly offered this:

“This seems to be an area of several cults, as an inscription of” Samothrace Gods “was found previously, and there is ann epigraphical reference to Ammon Zeus. More importantly, the site seems to be a point of worship of Asklepios and Aphrodite.”

Ainian and colleagues previously excavated a luxurious sanctuary of the Archaic and Classical periods, probably dedicated to the cult of Apollo and Artemis. The highlight of this was the discovery of unplundered inner sanctum (adyton) of the temple. The, as well as the nearby extensive votive deposit, yielded innumerable precious offerings, and a great variety of luxurious objects, dated mostly from the seventh to the fourth centuries B.C., though certain objects were antiques, dating back to the Late Bronze Age.  The two buildings are located in Ano Poli, on a partially artificial plate, at the height of about 120 m from above sea level. As of 2016, the excavations of the complex public classical – Hellenistic buildings of the Upper Town coincide with holy (Asclepius, Σαμοθρακίων Gods and possibly Venus).

The university excavation of “Vryokastro,” or Kythnos, began back in 2002. The dig was preceded by a systematic surface survey from 1990-1995, and in 2001. The location has been identified as the ancient city of Kythnos, inhabited since the 10^th Century BC. As for the island of Kythnos, this is the site of one of the oldest known habitations in the Cycladic islands, a Mesolithic settlement (10000 BCE – 8000 BCE) at Maroulas.

Readers interested in more information on the find may consult the Association of Friends of the Archaeological Museum of the island of Kythnos Facebook profile or the official website here.