An archaeological team has discovered a shipwreck from the 6th-5th centuries BC off the coast of Santa Maria del Focallo in Sicily. The find includes well-preserved stone and iron anchors, offering crucial insights into ancient Mediterranean trade routes and nautical construction techniques. This significant discovery highlights Sicily’s historical importance as a strategic trade hub.
Ancient Greece
A rare Bronze Age zoomorphic vessel has been successfully returned to Cyprus from London, highlighting another victory in the ongoing efforts to reclaim the island’s looted cultural heritage. Originally documented by the Department of Antiquities in Famagusta before 1974, the artifact was seized following the Turkish invasion. Through the diligent efforts of Costas Paraskevaides and the ArtAncient gallery, the vessel was located in a German auction and repatriated after confirming its illicit origins. Deputy Minister of Culture, Dr. Vasiliki Kassianidou, hailed this recovery as crucial, underlining the importance of international cooperation in preserving Cyprus’s rich historical legacy.
As climate change continues to wreak havoc with scorching temperatures and reduced rainfall in Greece,…
Aspasia of Miletus (c. 470–400 B.C.) was an influential Greek woman in ancient Athens, known…
Recent excavations near Aigio have uncovered remarkable findings in the ancient city of Rypes, a historic city in Achaia. The discoveries include intricate Corinthian architectural elements, marble sculptures, and valuable gold artifacts, offering insights into the city’s prosperous past and its role in early Greek colonization efforts.
Archaeologists have made a remarkable discovery near the original burial site of Saint Nicholas at the Church of St. Nicholas in Antalya Province, Turkey. This ancient church, rooted in the Greek Byzantine Empire, is at the center of a two-year study uncovering artifacts connected to the legendary figure of Saint Nicholas. Known for his miracles and generosity, Saint Nicholas’s legacy as the inspiration behind Santa Claus continues to captivate the world. Recent excavations have revealed a limestone sarcophagus, potentially marking his original tomb, promising significant insights into historical sources about his final resting place.
They are made of bronze and adorned with gold decorations. The cuirass and helmet of…
A significant archaeological discovery has been made in the ancient Egyptian city of Athribis. A colossal pylon, measuring 150 feet wide, has been unearthed, providing new insights into the religious practices and architectural styles of ancient Egypt during the Ptolemaic era.
Three Roman-era artifacts—a terracotta theater ticket, a figurine of Aphrodite, and a Thyrsus motif—have been unearthed at Prusias ad Hypium, a Hellenistic city in Düzce, Turkey, shedding new light on the city’s rich history and its flourishing period under Roman rule. Ongoing excavations continue to reveal remarkable treasures, with the ancient theater poised for restoration as a 10,000-seat cultural and arts center.
In a groundbreaking discovery, archaeologists have unearthed a fragmentary inscription in the ancient Cypriot syllabary during excavations in Palaipafos, near modern-day Kouklia-Marcellos village, Cyprus. This find has sparked significant interest and anticipation among experts, eager to learn more about its historical implications. The Cypriot syllabary, which evolved from Linear A and was eventually replaced by the Greek alphabet, adds a new layer of understanding to the region’s rich archaeological narrative. Recent excavations have also revealed intriguing ship engravings and mysterious tunnels, inviting further exploration into Cyprus’s captivating past.
2,000-year-old tombs unearthed in the ancient city of Edessa (Antioch) in present-day Turkey reveal a rare inscribed tablet detailing the family history of those buried within, offering valuable insights into the region’s cultural past.
A remarkably crafted head of the Greek goddess Tyche, dating back to the Roman era, has been unearthed in Plovdiv, Bulgaria, offering exciting new insights into the ancient city of Philippopolis.
Thessaloniki, Greece – Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis and President Katerina Sakellaropoulou inaugurated the new “Venizelos”…
The Thesmophoria was a prominent ancient Greek festival dedicated to Demeter, goddess of agriculture, and her daughter Persephone, celebrating the cycles of life, death, and rebirth. The festival, which spanned three days, was a strictly women-only event, where women participated in fasting, rituals, and celebrations of fertility. On Anodos, the first day, women ascended to the shrine of Demeter to offer the first fruits of the harvest. The second day, Nesteia, was a solemn day of fasting and mourning for Persephone’s abduction by Hades. On the final day, Kalligeneia, the women prayed for divine protection over their fertility and celebrated the renewal of life. Central to the festival were the sacrificial pigs, symbolizing the death and resurrection of Persephone, and kykeon, a fermented drink believed to induce trance-like states, encouraging uninhibited expressions and freedom of speech.
An archaeological dig in Palaepaphos has revealed an intriguing inscription of ancient Cypriot writing on a wall from the 6th century BC. This discovery, made in the Kouklia-Martsello area, has drawn considerable interest, potentially shedding light on the site’s historical significance. Recent excavations have shifted focus from the site’s once-presumed defensive role to a more devotional purpose, sparking new theories about its past.
The Hellenic Lyceum of Sydney transported audiences on a captivating journey through 1,000 years of…
A pair of 1,500-year-old sandals, inscribed with a Greek message wishing the wearer health and beauty, has been unearthed during excavations in Istanbul. This remarkable find, along with other significant discoveries, is shedding new light on the city’s rich history.
Researchers from three US universities, as part of the Pyla-Koutsopetria Archaeological Project, have discovered an early-Hellenistic fortified settlement at Pyla-Vigla overlooking Larnaka Bay. This season’s findings reveal a military installation from the late 4th and early 3rd centuries BC, marked by fortification systems and various artifacts, including a 5th-century BC female figurine and bronze coins. Future excavations aim to further explore the settlement’s architectural and residential complexities.
Professor Lord Colin Renfrew, a highly influential British archaeologist renowned for his work on prehistoric civilizations, particularly the Cycladic, has passed away at the age of 87. Renfrew’s pioneering cognitive approach significantly shaped the field of archaeology. His contributions spanned various areas, including radiocarbon dating, prehistory of languages, archaeogenetics, and the fight against looting of archaeological sites.
Plan your 2025 travels in Greece with this guide to important holidays. From the vibrant celebrations of Carnival and Tsiknopempti to the solemn observances of Lent and Easter, understand the key dates and traditions that shape the Greek calendar year. This guide covers major religious holidays like Easter and the Annunciation, national holidays like Labor Day, and traditional festivities like Clean Monday.