The 2025 excavation season at the Acropolis of ancient Kythnos, at modern-day Vryokastro, concluded with significant discoveries that fundamentally reshape our understanding of the island’s long-term habitation.
Conducted from June 23 to August 2, 2025, the project is a collaborative effort between the University of Thessaly and the Ephorate of Antiquities of the Cyclades.
This year’s research focused on two primary sectors: the Sanctuary of Demeter and Kore and the residential complex of the South Plateau.
The Sanctuary of Demeter and Kore at Kythnos Acropolis
The team completed the excavation of the western section of Building 3, a ritual structure that continues to yield a wealth of votive offerings. Archeologists unearthed countless terracotta figurines and lamps dating from the Archaic to the Hellenistic periods.
A particularly intriguing find occurred approximately 20 meters (65 ft) west of Building 3, where a dense concentration of pottery—primarily hydriae (water jars)—was discovered. Many of these vessels remained nearly intact. Researchers are currently determining if this site served as a formal sanctuary treasury (bothros) or if it represents a secondary deposit of artifacts that shifted due to soil erosion over the centuries.
The south plateau: Residential and military life
The most extensive work this year took place at the South Plateau, where eleven distinct spaces (numbered 8–18) have now been explored. The complex appears to have served a dual purpose as a residential area and a military garrison; notably, a circular structure (Building 13) on the eastern side has been identified as a watchtower or lookout point.
The sophistication of the site is further evidenced by its hydraulic infrastructure. Space 10 was identified as a former cistern, featuring walls coated in specialized hydraulic mortar. A ritual deposit found within a western collector—containing a bronze coin of Philip II, a figurine head, and iron spearheads—marks the moment this cistern ceased its primary function at the end of the Classical period. Furthermore, a Hellenistic plate inscribed with the name “Archippe,” found in Space 14, provides a rare, personal glimpse into the individuals who once inhabited the Acropolis.
A millennium of continuous activity
The 2025 season provided crucial evidence regarding the site’s longevity, confirming that human activity at Vryokastro was uninterrupted for over a thousand years.
The story begins in the Geometric period (9th–8th century BC), with architectural remains and pottery found in the deep strata beneath later buildings, suggesting the existence of an early urban core. This activity continued through the Archaic period (7th century BC), evidenced by intact early lamps and figurines. The site reached its peak during the Classical and Hellenistic eras, during which the South Plateau saw its most intense residential and military use.
Interestingly, the data suggests a shift in the Roman period. While the residential and military use of the Acropolis appears to have largely ceased toward the end of the first millennium BC, the adjacent Sanctuary of Demeter and Kore remained active and frequented until the 4th century AD.
The five-year program (2021–2025), directed by Professor Alexander Mazarakis Ainian and Dr. Dimitris Athanasoulis, has successfully mapped the transition of Kythnos from a nascent Geometric settlement to a sophisticated Hellenistic stronghold. Supported by the Ministry of Culture and generous private sponsors, this interdisciplinary effort continues to preserve the rich heritage of the Cyclades.
Related: From Thermia to Kythnos: The Evolution of a Greek Island
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