Archaeologists on the Greek island of Evia have discovered a previously unknown temple packed with ancient jewellery and treasures.
Evia is the second-largest Greek island in area and population and the sixth-largest island in the Mediterranean Sea.
The site was discovered near the Temple of Amarysia Artemis and is dated to the 7th century BC; however, sections of the temple are believed to be older. Test cuts from the site show that sections of the buildings can be dated as far back as 900 BC.
A team of more than 50 archaeologists uncovered a variety of gold, silver, coral, and amber jewellery, as well as bronze and iron fittings and amulets, within the 100-foot temple.
In a statement, Greece’s Ministry of Culture described the temple as the most crucial discovery in continental Greece in 65 years.
“Although the investigation of the earliest of these levels has only just begun, the first discoveries suggest that the cult had its roots in the centuries after the end of the Mycenaean period,” the statement reads.
“The excavation of the archaic temple brought to light rich offerings: Corinthian alabaster, attic vases, ritual prochos of local production, as well as jewellery made of precious materials like gold, silver, and coral.”
The temple was dedicated to the goddess Artemis. In ancient Greek mythology, Artemis was the goddess of the hunt, wilderness, nature, and the care of children.
In 2015, a 3500-year-old warrior grave was found in southern Greece. Among the items recovered were gold rings, swords, fine-toothed ivory combs and more than a thousand precious stone beads.
Ancient GREEK jewellery |
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| Silver periapto with inlaid glass. | Gold ring and periapto. |
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| Necklace with faience beads. | Bronze bracelet with snake head-shaped finials. |
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