: Siphnos isl.
GENERAL
Kastro is a naturally fortified site at the E coast of the island.
MONUMENTS
Two deposits were found at the site. The first deposit was discovered inside a medieval edifice, the second outside the fortification wall.
Remains of a Geometric wall lie at the interior of a medieval edifice. The wall was found parallel to a later peribolos wall and is oriented to the W. The excavators suppose that the wall has been served as a peribolos.
MOVABLE FINDS: VOTIVE OFFERINGS & CULT EQUIPMENT
Among the finds from the deposits are clay vessels, jewellery (beads, fibulae and bronze pins), ivory objects and figurines (2 clay female figurines, parts of arms, clay helmets). The two figurines were found at the deposit, outside the fortification wall. They represent female figures, of whose dresses are decorated with elaborate motifs (geometric motifs, horses, winged horses, cats, griffons). The one is attributed to a naxian workshop and the other one to a parian or local workshop.
CHRONOLOGY
The material from the two deposits dates to the 7th c. and first half of the 6th c. BC.
The two female figurines date to the first half of the 7th c. BC.
The wall dates from the end of the 8th c. BC to mid-6th c. BC.
IDENTIFICATION
Based on the iconography of two female figurines that were found in one of the deposits and on the literary references to the cult of Artemis on the island, the worshipped goddess may be Artemis Ekbateria. The excavators believe that the temple of Artemis Ekbateria was located inside the church of Agia Eleousa.
RECORDS
Excavation Date: 1949
Institution/Excavator: G. M. Young - J. K. Brock
Excavation Type: Systematic
REFERENCES
Primary Publication:
● Young, G. M. - Brock, J. K. 1949. Excavation at Siphnos, BSA, 44: 4-5. 18-27
Secondary Publications:
● Drerup, H. 1969. Griechische Baukunst in Geometrischer Zeit, Arch.Hom., II, Göttingen, 50
● Gounaris A. 2005. Cult places in the Cyclades during the Protogeometric and Geometric periods: their contribution in interpreting the rise of the Cycladic poleis, in M. Yeroulanou - M. Stamatopoulou (eds), Architecture and Archaeology in the Cyclades. Papers in honour of J. J. Coulton, Oxford, 56, 60
● Kourou, N. 2000. Τα Είδωλα της Σίφνου. Από την Μεγάλη θεά στην Πότνια Θηρών και την Αρτέμιδα, in Proceedings of the 1st International Sifnean Symposium, Sifnos 25-28 June 1998, Athens, 351-368
● MazarakisAinian, A. 1997. From Rulers’ Dwellings to Temples. Architecture, Religion and Society in Early Iron Age Greece (1100-700 B.C.) (Studies in Mediterranean Archaeology 122), Jonsered, 328
● Mermoz, J. 2010. La vie religieuse des Cyclades de l’HR IIIC à la fin de la période archaïque, Lyon,PhD Thesis, 343-346
● Papadopoulou, B. 2002. Σιφνíων Ἀστυ. Φιλολογικές, Αρχαιολογικές καì Τοπογραφικές για την ἀρχαíα πóλη τῆς Σíφνου, Athens, 7, 18, 13
