Gold and Silver Jewels Discovered at Ancient Temple in Greece

Gold and silver jewels were uncovered during excavations of the ancient temple dedicated to the goddess Artemis in Evia, Greece.

Greek and Swiss archaeologists also announced they discovered a significant number of structures, including another temple in addition to the “monumental building in the heart of the sanctuary” that was first found in 2017.

The excavations are carried out jointly by a team from the Swiss Archaeological School and the Greek Archaeological Service.

The temple found in the 2023 excavations dated back to the seventh century B.C. The temple was nearly 100 feet long, a size seen in other temples built during this time period.

Inside the temple were multiple constructions, including hearths used as altars and a horseshoe-shaped altar that was covered in ash that proved to be rich in charred bones. Some of the altars may predate the temple, the ministry said, noting that the horseshoe-shaped altar had pottery dating as far back as the eighth century B.C.

Inside the temple, archaeologists found vases, jewelry made of gold, silver, coral and amber, amulets brought from Asia and other parts of the East, and bronze and iron fittings.

Below the temple, archaeologists found dry stone walls that belonged to a building built similarly to the temple itself. Here, researchers found bronze figurines from the Geometric period, which ran from 900 to 700 B.C., and a clay bullhead from the Mycenaean period, which lasted from 1,750 to 1,050 B.C.

The temple was partially destroyed in the sixth century B.C., likely by a fire, the Greek Ministry of Culture said. Another temple was built in the area towards the end of that century.

The ancient temple of Artemis was discovered in 2017 in Evia, Greece

The long-lost temple dedicated to the Goddess Artemis, one of the most widely venerated deities of Ancient Greece,  was discovered in 2017 after 100 years of archaeological research.

Several ancient sources mention the sanctuary of Artemis Amarysia. The main public documents (decrees, treaties), engraved on steles, were displayed there. The festival Artemisia took place where a small fishing village called Amarynthos is located today.

It was celebrated every spring to honor the goddess. A grand procession of 3,000 armed warriors, 600 horsemen, and 60 chariots made the twelve-kilometer journey to the sanctuary. The festival attracted citizens of the cities of Evia but also representatives of other Greek cities.

Since 2017 archaeologists have uncovered buildings 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.

In ancient Greek religion and mythology, Artemis is the goddess of the hunt, the wilderness, wild animals, nature, vegetation, childbirth, care of children, and chastity.

In later times, she was identified with Selene, the personification of the Moon. She was often said to roam the forests and mountains, attended by her entourage of nymphs.

Artemis was also a patron of healing and disease, particularly among women and children, and believed to send both good health and illness upon women and children.