Rich and impressive was the 2016 archaeological finds on Kythnos island at location “Vryokastro” where the ancient capital of the island is located. As informed by, the excavation team, headed by Professor Alexander Mazarakis Ainian, the research focused on two public buildings (temples) of the Classical-Hellenistic period in Medium Platoma Upper Town. Indeed, one of them (Building 1) was identified with Asclepion.
Specifically, the religious use of Building 1 (which has dimensions of 17.40 x 11.50 m.) is justified by the presence of the altar on the east, and from the mobile discoveries. “Among other things going on fragments of clay figurines and a small marble head of Asclepius, found in the northern portico. The investigation of the interior of the adjacent tank to Pts. 7.50 m., Brought to light several small crushed marble sculptures of children’s forms of Hellenistic-Roman times, and an inscribed column of the Roman period (1st – 2nd century BC.), A tribute by Callisto to Asclepius. The cult of Asclepius Kythnos was already known from a votive relief of the second half of the 4th century. B.C. originating island kept at the National Archaeological Museum, which depicts the Aesculapius welcome from local hero ‘, states inter alia the statement.
The Building 1 must have been built during the late Classical period (4th c. BC), but the main use phase is placed in the Hellenistic period. “The presence of several Roman lamps in the upper layers reveals the continued operation of the building and during those times. One of Kythnos Municipality inscribed base honorary column of the second half of the 2nd century. B.C. or 1st century principles., was placed in second use in the late southern portico, “the statement added. In contrast, the use of the building 2 (measuring 20.20 x 8 m.) Despite the varied and interesting findings is not yet clear. As inform archeologists, inside the building, where the research has not been completed, “collected mainly pottery of the Classical and Hellenistic periods, commercial amphorae (with several stamped handles), lead objects, clay female figurines, bronze needles and nails etc. . ‘.
The sanctuaries were established on the edge of the ridge, where the port connection was a staircase carved in the rock. Indeed, it seems that the visibility of these buildings by the sea was a key test of the architectural design of the sacred. one Hellenistic inscription ( “Samothrace Gods”) and a marble statue fragment, attributed to the sculptor Messinian Damophon, while the oldest human presence here, based on ceramics, placed in geometric-early archaic times very near previously identified. “The connection of the inscription of” Samothrace Gods “in the southernmost district of Buildings 1 remains a single case, while the connection of the Aphrodite cult in Building 2 no longer seems convincing. Continued excavation will hopefully clarify these issues, “concludes the statement of the archaeologists, who expect other answers to the completion of the investigation.
Excavations in the ancient city of Kythnos held in summer from the department of History, Archaeology and Social Anthropology, University of Thessaly, with the cooperation of the Cyclades Ephorate. speleologists team SPELEO worked voluntarily in the tank research. The investigations were supported financially by the University of Thessaly, the SG Aegean and Island Policy, the Kythnou municipality and mainly by the sponsor, Athanassios Martino. In terms of Antiquities was responsible archaeologist Theodora Papanghelopoulos.