2023 was a remarkable year for archaeological discoveries in Greece, with several significant findings that shed light on the country’s rich history.
These remarkable finds highlight the wealth of archaeological treasures that still lie hidden beneath the surface of Greece, awaiting further exploration and interpretation.
Top Archaeological Discoveries of 2023 in Greece
The ancient city of Tenea reveals more secrets
Tenea was an ancient Greek town near Corinth, approximately 80 kilometers southwest of Athens.
Archaeologists discovered several ruins at the excavation site, including shops, burial monuments, and a strong rampart wall. Most of the finds appear to date back to the city’s Roman period.
According to some sources, the inhabitants of Tenea identified themselves as descendants of the Trojans and/or captives brought back by Agamemnon from Tenedos.
⚒️Αποτελέσματα της Συστηματικής Αρχαιολογικής Έρευνας στην Αρχαία Τενέα Χιλιομοδίου Κορινθίας
❗️Εντοπίστηκε για πρώτη φορά η περιοχή εγκατάστασης της πόλης των κλασικών χρόνων της αρχαίας Τενέας.
🔗https://t.co/MTpBQqdRDU#MinCultureGr #Κόρινθος #ανασκαφή #Τενέα pic.twitter.com/YGe3jQQY9Y
— Υπουργείο Πολιτισμού (@cultureGR) January 20, 2023
In one structure, built with particularly strong masonry, “a treasure of eighteen silver and copper coins of the 3rd century was found inside a room.”
Mycenean Era Tomb Unearthed
A vaulted tomb of the Mycenean Era excavated near Amphikleia, in the region of Phthiotis, Central Greece, might hint at a yet undiscovered Mycenean settlement close to the ruins of the ancient town of Tithronium.
Archaeologist Dr Petros Kounouklas, who led the surface excavations on behalf of the local Ephorate of Antiquities in winter 2022, told Greek Reporter that the tomb is “the first proof of the existence of a Mycenean tholos (vaulted) tomb in Phthiotis.”
The monument, built between the 14th-13th centuries B.C., was looted in antiquity, and also used in the Roman Era, as Roman burial gifts were also found.
Ancient Pipelines discovered on Crete
An ancient water transport pipeline built during the period of Roman rule on the island was discovered in May 2023 in Crete.
The archaeological discovery reportedly consists of a water transport pipe that was part of the Roman aqueduct of Hersonissos.
Aqueducts were an essential element of Roman infrastructure across the empire, including in ancient Greece. They ensured the availability of fresh water in densely populated urban areas where demand was high.
Temple in Evia among archaeological discoveries for 2023 in Greece
A long-lost temple dedicated to the Goddess Artemis that was finally discovered in Evia, Greece after 100 years of archaeological research has been revealing more of its secret treasures.
Archaeologists have uncovered buildings near the temple ranging from the 6th to 2nd centuries BC, including an underground fountain, and, crucially, inscriptions and coins bearing the name Artemis—the guardian goddess of Amarynthos.
Rich offerings were deposited on this occasion; the excavations brought to light over 600 objects, including ceramic and bronze vessels, painted terracotta figurines, gold jewelry, silver, faience, glass and semi-precious stones, orientalized seals in the shape of scarabs, as well as weapons (including a helmet and a shield).
Thousands of figurines, coins, and ceramics discovered on Kythnos
Thousands of items have been uncovered on Kythnos island, at a location that is today called Vryokastro.
The excavations were carried out at several points of interest on the ancient acropolis of Kythnos; namely, a temple to Demeter and Kori as well as a number of other buildings.
Among the notable discoveries at the Kythnos archaeological site were thousands of figurines, coins, lighting vessels and lamps, drinking vessels, and ceramics. The finds generally dated from between the Archaic and Roman periods and thus reflected a broad cross-section of history.
⚒️ Αποτελέσματα της ανασκαφικής έρευνας στο Βρυόκαστρο Κύθνου
ℹ️Οι εργασίες της τελευταίας περιόδου εστίασαν στην ανασκαφή των κτηρίων της Ακρόπολης που είχαν έρθει στο φως κατά το 2021.
🔗https://t.co/mwOSxpcZT0#MinCultureGr #Κύθνος pic.twitter.com/TA3eoNAut1
— Υπουργείο Πολιτισμού (@cultureGR) June 7, 2023
Ancient Greek civilization rewritten by a quarter million years
In June 2023, archaeologists announced the groundbreaking discovery of stone tools dating back to the Lower Palaeolithic period, estimated to be around 3.3 million to 300,000 years old.
This find significantly pushed back the timeline of human presence in Greece, challenging the prevailing understanding of the region’s early civilizations.
The discoveries at the Megalopolis lignite mine, in Arcadia include Paleolithic stone artifacts, along with the remains of extinct animals such as giant deer (Praemegaceros), hippopotamus, rhinoceros, elephant, and a tooth of the macaque monkey.
Ancient Greek Theater Discovered on Crete
An ancient Greek theater was discovered at the remote ancient site of Lissos south of Chania on Crete.
Facing east, the structure appears to be either an odeum, where musical activities took place, or a bouleuterion, where members of the assembly met.
According to preliminary information, the building appears to have been constructed in the early Roman years during the 1st century AD. Besides the temple, the general area includes ruins of public buildings, an impressive Hellenistic-Roman necropolis, and two single-room Byzantine churches.
Ancient building discovered underwater
In October 2023, marine archaeologists uncovered a partially submerged building and a collection of marble treasures from the 4th century BC in the Bay of Salamis, near Athens.
The findings suggest the existence of a large public structure within the ancient city of Salamis, which played a pivotal role in the Battle of Salamis in 480 BC.
The building, with a constant width of 6 meters, is traced so far, at a length of 32 meters.
Based on the size, shape and arrangement of its spaces, archeologists assume that the building presents all the characteristics of a portico. A porch leading to the entrance of a building, or extended as a colonnade, with a roof structure over a walkway, supported by columns.
New secrets revealed at the Minoan Palace on Crete
Greek archaeologists uncovered important findings at the ruins of a Minoan palace at Archanes, on the island of Crete, which they believe served as a summer residence for the kings and the elite of nearby Knossos.
One of the most interesting elements of this year’s excavations was the discovery of the use of a shiny material, gypsum, for its construction known to have been used at Phaistos and Knossos. Gypsum is a very soft mineral and it can form very pretty, and sometimes extremely large colored crystals.
At the palace of Archanes, it was used as decoration in pilasters and doors creating an image of a shiny building, fit for the Minoan elite.
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