Sanctuary of Apollo and Artemis (?)

GENERAL

The university of Thessaly excavation at the sanctuary of the North extremity of the North Plateau of Vryokastro on Kythnos started in 2002 and ended in 2006. Additional excavations were carried on in 2009-2010. The site is identified with the ancient capital of the island, the homonymous "Kythnos", which was inhabited from the beginning of the Early Iron Age down to the 6th-7th c. A.D.

In September 2001 a supplementary survey period was conducted in the ancient town. This led to the identification of a sanctuary at the North end of the so-called Middle Plateau (height about +110 m above sea level). The ruins of a building (Building 3) had been already noted on the topographical plans of the previous survey, but at that time we had not recognised that it belonged to a temple. Indeed, during the 2001 survey several votive offerings were found on the ceiling of the nearby animal pen, while many more were collected around the ancient building. Of specific interest is a lotus-shaped flower of solid bronze, 7,67 m in height, with a stem, perhaps for insertion in a statue or belonging to a sceptre of some sort. These promising finds led to the decision to excavate the area in order to reveal the temple and to investigate the sanctuary.

Between 2002-2006 the excavations brought to light an unplundered sanctuary of the Archaic through the Hellenistic periods. The double temple was found partly intact, with all its valuable offerings in place in the back chamber ("adyton"). To the South of the temple two altars and an extensive votive deposit were uncovered. The richness of the finds, as well as the exotic provenance of several among them, lead to the reconsideration of the impression of relative poverty that we had for the island based on the few ancient sources. The Kythnos find will undoubtedly lead to a better understanding of ancient Greek religion and of rituals, especially of the Archaic period.

The second period of excavations started in 2009 and is still in progress. The monumental Hellenistic terrace to the West of the sanctuary was partly investigated (Terrace 4).

MONUMENTS

THE TEMPLE (BUILDING 3)

Rooms Α, Β, Ε

The excavation led to the discovery of a temple of the Archaic period, orientated towards the west. The building is established upon a terrace 26 by 15 m, contained by a strong retaining wall, an important part of which was visible, integrated in the interior of the nearby stall. This terrace lies upon a larger one, 64 m long, which extends towards the West.

The temple consists of two rectangular oikoi (A and E) set side by side, 2,90 m wide and 8,50 m long each and sharing a party wall (Pl. 7). The presence of numerous fragments of mussel stones in the surroundings, including two fragmentary triglyphs, suggest that the order was Doric.

Due to its bad state of preservation it is not possible to reconstruct the appearance of the Northen oikos (E). The Southern oikos is better preserved; it disposes a small adyton (B) of interior dimensions about 2 by 2,90 m and a sekos (A) 2,90 m wide and ca. 5 m long). The maximum preserved height of the walls is 1 m. Between the naos and the adyton there existed a thin cross wall, 0.25 m wide and in between a monolithic threshold (dimensions: 1,5 X 0,50 m, width of opening : 0,85 m). Against the back wall of the adyton, on the axis of the temple, an oblong clay base measuring 0,45 X 0,35 X 0,25 (h) m was found. This structure may represent the base for the positioning of a light or crude cult image, perhaps a wooden xoanon; this hypothesis is strengthened by the fact that numerous bronze fibulae and fewer pins were found around its base, and therefore they could have been secured on the garment of the cult image.

The walls of the sekos and the adyton, 0,55 m wide, were constructed exclusively of schist. On the outside, roughly orthogonal blocks of large dimensions were used, whereas the inside disposes a dressing of small rough stones. To the East and the North the ground was unstable, in consequence of a leveling fill of irregular stones, which had been set inside the cavities of the natural bedrock. For the above mentioned reason, the walls rest upon large stone slabs, protruding from either side, forming a kind of euthynteria.

From the numerous scattered tiles, which in their majority originate from the region occupied by the temple and mostly from the undisturbed adyton, one concludes that the roof consisted of tiles of Corinthian type. It cannot be excluded, however, that originally the roof would have been flat.

A peripheral wall runs along the East and South sides of the temple, forming a kind of narrow corridor. There are some indications that this peripheral construction which lies directly upon the retaining walls that surround the temple, was added during a second architectural phase (see below "Room Δ"). It has not been established yet whether these compartments were roofed. The interpretation as a peribolos wall of the temenos similar to that of the Heraion on Delos cannot be excluded.

Inside the adyton excavation continued until 1 m beneath the ancient floor level, in the aim of uncovering the natural bedrock on which the building was founded. The fill beneath the floor, for a depth of at least 1 m, consisted of irregular medium sized stones and stone-chips from the construction of the temple. This leveling fill did not contain any finds. The narrowness of the space available for investigation did not allow the continuation of the excavation in deeper levels. Thus, the original goal which aimed at revealing the natural bedrock was not achieved.

The temple, as suggested by the slight inclination of the walls and the absence of traces of burning, was perhaps destroyed by an earthquake.

Room Γ

Within the oblong narrow room which is formed at the East between the back wall of the adyton and the peribolos of the temple, a destruction layer containing few roof tiles and numerous stones was revealed. This destruction level descended down to the original walking surface of this space. An important number of small finds of votive character was collected, dating mostly in the Archaic and Classical periods (similar categories of finds as those from the adyton) were encountered, such as bronze fibulae and pins, ivory seals, as well as black figured pottery More unusual are the Archaic double nozzled lamps, fragments of miniature multicolored glass vessels and a lion-shaped bronze handle of a vessel. Α trial trench in the S extremity of the room confirmed the same situation as described in relation to the adyton (leveling fill with stones and stone-chips, and complete absence of finds).

Room Δ

In the oblong space which is formed between the south wall of the temple and the peribolos, the destruction level which was encountered in 2002 was removed. The fill, down to the floor level, contained several Corinthian roof tiles and numerous stones. From the western half several small finds of votive character were collected, dated mostly to the Archaic and Classical periods (similar categories as in the adyton, but far less numerous), including several fragments of clay figurines, though in a fragmentary condition. Some finds belong to the Hellenistic period. In contact with the reinforcement wall which connects the SE corner of the adyton with the peribolos, and in an extensive area to the SW, an extended pyre consisting of ashes, animal bones and broken vases of the Early Hellenistic period came to light. Scattered fragments belonging to a West-Slope kantharos of the end of the 3^rd century were found inside the pyre, as well as beneath the reinforcement wall. It is possible that we have here a “foundation sacrifice” which probably took place at the time that the temple was repaired, no doubt towards the end of the 3^rd c. BC.

Having removed the destruction level, it was decided to examine the infrastructure and the foundations of both the temple and the peribolos wall. The situation was similar to that encountered within the adyton (fill of middle sized stones and stone chips, absence of finds). In the upper level of this fill, immediately under the floor, several marble architectural blocks were revealed, as well as a semicircular base of mussel stone. The latter appears to have been originally an unfluted column drum, subsequently carved into a semi-circle. The anathyrosis of the straight side suggests that it was set against a wall. It is supposed that these architectural members belong to the an earlier phase of the Archaic temple. It is possible that at some point the temple suffered a serious damage and several of its architectural members were placed there during the restoration which took place at the end of the 3^rd c. BC. In a deep trial trench which was opened in contact with the reinforcement wall, it became apparent that the foundations of the temple as well as those of the peribolos are slightly more than 1 metre high, and rest upon the natural bedrock. On the contrary, the foundations of the reinforcement wall have a height of just 0,25 m, confirming that it represents a repair of the temple during the Hellenistic period.

THE TEMENOS AND ALTARS 1 AND 2

Area between the temple and the fortification wall

To the East of the temple the destruction layer was partly excavated. It consists of numerous fallen stones, amongst which are observed areas with intense concentration of tiles and movable finds, mostly pottery of the Hellenistic period, including an intact Hellenistic “Knidian” lamp. In the lower levels, earlier material, dated in the Archaic and Classical periods was present. The situation is similar to the one encountered during the excavation of the Northern retaining wall (see below). The retaining wall which supported the terrace of the temple, continues under the peripheral foundation both at the East and South sides. In the East it has a significant height and is founded upon the bed rock. On this retaining wall, which is 0,95 m wide, rest a series of large rectangular blocks. These blocks project 0,25 m eastwards (in area Γ) and southwards (in area Δ), i.e. towards the outer side of the terrace. The peripheral wall is set upon these blocks and may be slightly later chronologically. The investigation of this area will continue in 2005.

Area South of the temple: Altars 1 and 2 and the votive deposit

The space, which is limited to the East from the fortification wall, to the West from the animal pen, to the North from the peribolos of the temple and to the South from the natural rock, was thoroughly investigated.

ALTAR 1. In this area an oblong though badly preserved stone structure was uncovered in 2003 (Altar 2). It follows a N-S orientation and measures ca. 10,50 m in length and 3,25 m in width (interior width preserved: 1,55 m). Between this structure and the peribolos of the temple on one side and the South extremity of the temenos on the other, narrow passages, ca. 1 m wide, are formed. To the South, the natural rock is cut vertically, while a set of two square postholes carved in the rock are preserved. The foundation, which is best preserved towards the South, may be securely identified as a monumental altar (in proximity to the SW corner numerous fragments of burnt animal bones were collected).

ALTAR 2. Immediately to the East and parallel to the above mentioned altar a second smaller one was discovered in 2004 (Altar 1). It measures 5,50 by 2,50 m, and its core is 4,60 by 1,50 m. The Northern part of the altar is provided with a stepped krepis, while at the South, due to the natural inclination of the soil, it rests immediately upon the rock.

The fill around the two altars, especially to the North and East, consisted of black earth mixed with ashes and numerous burnt animal bones. The majority of the finds within this fill date in the Hellenistic period, suggesting that the temenos had been thoroughly cleaned at a certain stage before that date. Indeed, an extensive votive deposit of similar appearance (black earth with numerous burnt animal bones), contained by a rough line of stones was revealed against the city wall. The deposit contained numerous discarded votives, similar to those uncovered inside the temple. These include Parian, Corinthian and Attic Black Figure and Red Figure pottery, seated female terracotta figurines of the Classical period, seals, glass beads, as well as bronze, silver and gold jewels. All these date in the Archaic and Classical periods. More unusual was the discovery within this deposit of iron sauroteres and of a bronze arrowhead, perhaps unrelated to the deposit.

The date of the altars cannot be determined yet. It is possible, however, that the smaller one (Altar 1) is earlier than the larger one (Altar 2). This assumption is based on the observation that the worked stone blocks of the SE corner of Altar 2 are similar to those used for the construction of the peripheral walling which surrounds the temple, which, as noted above, may represent a later addition to the original plan. Moreover, it seems natural to assume that the modest altar preceded the monumental one. It appears, however, that both altars coexisted at some period. An interesting feature is their position regarding the temple: they are oriented perpendicularly regarding the longitudinal axis of the temple, and South of its long side. This is highly unusual, though not an unicum.

At the SW extremity of the sanctuary terrace the rock forms a vertical face and a niche is preserved. The niche has a pointed arc and stands ca. 1 metre above the natural rock walking level (dim.: ht. 0,75, w. 0,50, depth 0,30 m). The mortar and the red coating with which the niche was covered are in a good state of preservation.

Slightly westwards a rectangular carving into the natural rock may be observed (dim: ht. 1,20, width 1,10, depth 0,30 m). This may represent the fitting for the reception of the stone blocks belonging to the extremity of the Western retaining wall of the temenos, which is not preserved at this point, though it is in a good state of preservation inside the nearby animal pen. Alternatively, this cutting could represent all that is preserved of a similar but larger niche. The numerous stones which were encountered in the region around the niche belonged to a modern curved wall, probably an animal shelter. Investigations in this area reached the natural rock. No significant finds were collected.

Area of the Northern retaining wall

Towards the North of the temple the slope is steep. At a distance of 5,80 m to the North of the Northern temple wall, but at a deeper level, under enormous stones which had collapsed from above, the Northern retaining wall of the temple was revealed. The central part of the retaining wall was already destroyed in antiquity. Excavation was conducted down to the natural bedrock, upon which the retaining wall was founded. The lower schist blocks, even though strongly worn, are preserved on the east side at a height of 6 layers (4 to the South). The total length of the North retaining wall is 15 m, its width almost 1 m, while the maximum preserved height is 1,30 m. The whole situation gives the impression of a sudden destruction, probably due to an earthquake: the blocs had fallen in a line, vertically, as if the entire retaining wall had collapsed at one single stage, perhaps following the damaging of the central part. Among the blocs there were sizeable cavities and soft earth. Here and there intense concentrations of finds, dating from the Archaic to the Hellenistic period, were collected. Amongst them was found the fragment of the stone triglyph mentioned above. From the rest of the finds we may mention a few female clay figurines (one almost intact of a seated type and one hydriaphoros), fragments of a lid belonging to a marble pyxis of the Classical period, an intact plain multi-nozzled lamp, an intact lamp of the 4^th century BC, phialae and skyphoi (including fragments of relief bowls). To the Archaic period date several miniature kotylai and skyphoi, an almost intact pear-shaped aryballos and an animal head of glass paste (amulet?). An intact silver pin, a fragment of a bronze miniature shield, bronze spiral earrings and plaques bearing geometric decoration in relief were also found. Of great interest is the observation that some sherds from the destruction layer of the North retaining wall join or belong to sherds which originate not only from the sekos and the Eastern room Γ, something which one would expect, but at least in one case from the adyton as well.

FINDS

THE FINDS FROM THE ADYTON

The sekos was exposed up to the original ground level (there was no fill) and the research here led to the discovery of a few but interesting votive offerings. On the contrary, the adyton had not suffered the slightest disturbance, and on the floor of beaten earth, as well as in the destruction fill above it, numerous precious votive offerings were found in situ. The finds consists of approximately 1500 objects, mainly jewels and small finds, many of fragile materials, but also an adequate number of complete vases, some in a fragmentary state due to the collapse of the temple’s roof.. More specifically, on the ground of the adyton, as well as in the destruction fill which covered it, the following categories of intact finds were found, which are summarized below.

The rooms contained numerous complete but also a few fragmentary clay vases, imported from various regions of the Aegean world. Most of them bear painted decoration and iconographic representations. The following indicative categories may be mentioned: Parian (“Melian”), Chian, East Greek and North Ionian (including Bird bowls), Corinthian (mostly Early and Middle), including an interesting alabastron bearing a scene of a winged female deity which is approached by a female worshipper, Attic black-glazed and Black Figure vases, some of high quality and of renowned painters. The shapes comprise many toilet vessels, such as plemochoes, pyxides and aryballoi, alabastra, aryballoid lekythoi, as also kylikes, miniature skyphoi, kotylai, bowls, lekanai, amphorae and amphoriskoi, oenochoes, etc. A Corinthian plastic vase in the shape of a hare was also found.

Several fragmentary and fewer complete female terracotta figurines of the seated type were also found. The oldest is a polophoros of the well known East Ionian type, but the majority dates in the Classical period.

An interesting group is the numerous pendants and beads of amber, carnelian, rock crystal, glass paste (for instance of the triangular or Rock Cut Pendants types, as well as pendants in the form of bearded heads), faience, semi-precious stones, belonging mostly to necklaces,many of which bear incised or relief representations. An amygdaloid talismanic carnelian bead with an incised representation of a ship belongs to the Late Bronze Age and comes from Minoan Crete. Several of the rock crystal amulets are vase-shaped  or lentoid, and presumably date in the Archaic period, but other types, such as the flattened or round beads, as well as the obelisks may also belong to the Bronze Age. The later, however, are also encountered in Early Iron Age contexts.

A substantial number of corals was also found, with silver wires and rings for their suspension. One pendant in the form of a head is decorated with a sphinx sealing at the back. Fragments from ostrich egg-shells were also encountered.

Scaraboids, seals and gems of various materials, especially of semi-precious stones, faience and bone or ivory, were also common. These include island gems, ivory discs (sphinx, goat etc  and "couchant animals". A few Egyptian scarabs of faience belong to the 22^nd (945-713 BC) and 26^th (664-525 BC) Dynasties.

An important category is the ca. 300 ivory and bone small finds. The most common finds were the ca. 100 spectacle fibulae which until recently were not encountered very often in such numbers in Cycladic contexts. The type with four birds at the extremities is more rare. Fibulae of Italian type were also found. Other finds include miniature double axes, some decorated with incised circles cylindrical tubes, beads from necklaces, discs and various plaques.

The metal finds were by far the most numerous categories encountered inside the adyton. There were ca. 100 iron objects, which however are badly preserved and their identification, with the exception of some pins and fibulae, is not easy. The bronze items predominate. We have numbered ca. 450 objects. These include fibulae (spectacle fibulae with bronze sheet), island fibulae, "Boeotian", Phrygian, disc shaped with central bosses, pins of various sizes, spiral earrings, bracelets and finger rings, various amulets and pendants (in the form of tubes, pomegranates, poppy flowers, etc), T-shaped clamps, a round miniature shield, a wheel, a tweezer, an omphalos phiale.

More unexpected was the presence of numerous silver and gold jewels inside the adyton. More than 120 such silver and 75 gold items have been recovered. The silver jewels include fibulae, pins, earrings, rings, rosettes, tubular-shaped pendants and other amulets, including some unfamiliar types, such as an astragalus/knucklebone and a double axe. The gold jewels consist mainly of amulets and pendants in the form of pomegranates, poppies, biconical kernel- or vase-shaped beads, and various grains. Other gold jewels include a lunula or selinis, two double axes, two pins, a twisted pendant, a bracelet of twisted wire, a ring decorated with a scorpion in relief on the bezel and five multi-petal rosettes (some of silver but gilded). Four hammered sheets decorated with a procession of chariots probably decorated the faces of a small wooden box.

It is worth noting that no coins were found inside the adyton, though several of bronze and one of silver were recovered from the Hellenistic levels outside the temple.

Thousands of seashells of the Cardiidae type, some of which disposed of a hole for their suspension with a silver wire (some may have formed necklaces) were scattered inside the adyton. Fewer Cypraea were also found, especially outside the temple. Finally, animal bones belonging to small animals of young age, including 32 astragaloi/knuckle bones, were found. A few bird bones were also noted.

CHRONOLOGY

Most of the finds date to the 7^th and 6^th centuries BC, while some (for instance most of the seated female figurines) belong to the 5^th century BC. Some items, especially pins and fibulae, can be dated to the Protogeometric and Geometric periods but this does not necessarily mean that the construction of the temple or the inauguration of the cult can be placed at such an early period. In fact, the total absence of finds within the extensive fill inside the temple's foundations does not allow us, for the time being, to fix with precision its date of construction, though, judging by the pottery, it should not be placed earlier than the first quarter of the 7^th c. BC.

We have noted that a portion of the carnelian and rock crystal beads dates to the Bronze Age. The question whether these were antiques or heirlooms cannot be answered at present. It is hoped that the continuation of the excavation will provide the final answer to these questions.

IDENTIFICATION

It is not easy to offer a substantiated interpretation concerning the identity of the divinity (or divinities) venerated in the Kythnos sanctuary. There is no doubt that one was a female Goddess, whose name remains a desideratum. On the basis of two grafitti, one bearing the letters AR and the other ΑΠΟΛ]ΛΩ[ΝΙΑΝΕΘΗΚΕΝ, the presence of the double oikoi and the two altars, in combination with the character of the votives and the secondary characteristics of the worship, one could suggest Apollo and Artemis.

RECORDS

Survey Date:1990-1994, 2001

Excavation Date: 2002-2006, 2009-2010

Institution/Excavator: University of Thessaly / A. Mazarakis Ainian

Excavation Type: Systematic

The systematic excavation is conducted by the Archaeology Department of the University of Thessaly, from 2001 to 2010, in collaboration with the 21st Ephorate of Prehistoric and Classical Antiquities, under the direction of A. Mazarakis Ainian. The Ephorate was represented until 2011 by Mrs V. Yannouli, and from 2012 onwards by Mrs D. Papaggelopoulou.

REFERENCES

Primary Publications:

• Mazarakis Ainian, A., 2010. Ein antikes Heiligtum auf Kythnos, Frielinghaus, H. and Stroszeck, J. (eds), Neue Forschungen zu griechischen Städten und Heiligtümern : Festschrift für Burkhardt Wesenberg zum 65. Geburtstag, Wiesbaden, 21-53
• Mazarakis Ainian, A. 2005. Inside the Adyton of a Greek Temple : Excavations on Kythnos (Cyclades), in Architecture and archaeology in the Cyclades, Oxford, 87-103
• Mazarakis Ainian, A. & Mitsopoulou, C. 2007. Από την επιφανειακή έρευνα στην ανασκαφή. Το ιερό της αρχαίας Κύθνου, in E. Konsolaki (ed.), Έπαθλον. Αρχαιολογικό Συνέδριο προς τιμήν του Άδωνι Κ. Κύρου, Πόρος, 7-9 Ιουνίου 2002, Athens, 301-374
• Mazarakis Ainian, A. 2009. Réflexions sur les systèmes votifs aux sanctuaires de Kythnos (Cyclades), Kernos Suppl. 23, 287-318