Cave of Nymphs

GENERAL

The port of Kamares is located at the W coast of the island. A cave sanctuary, dedicated to Nymphes has been uncovered.

MONUMENTS

A cave was found at the site, oriented to the S (large: 6m, depth: 10m). The ground of the cave was paved.

MOVABLE FINDS: VOTIVE OFFERINGS & CULT EQUIPMENT

Inside the cave were found clay vessels and animal bones. At the SW has been uncovered a pyre with the sherds of a big vase found in it.

CHRONOLOGY

Archaic Period (?). The sherds found into the cave are of unknown date, but an inscription found near the cave dates to the 6th c. BC.

IDENTIFICATION

The cult of Nymphes is identified by an inscription of the 6th c. BC. The inscription on the rock, mentioning the existence of a sanctuary of Nymphes in the region.

RECORDS

Excavation Date: 2002

Institution/Excavator: Samartzilou S.

Excavation Type: Survey

REFERENCES

Primary Publication:

Samartzilou, S. 2005. Ερευνώντας τις λαϊκές λατρείες και τα σπήλαια της Σίφνου, Procceedings of the 2nd International Sifnean Symposium, Sifnos 27-30 June 2002, Athens, 251-270