Archaeological find in Italy’s Sicily reveals sacred practices of ancient people

Archaeologists in Sicily have uncovered a remarkable 5th-century BC Greek votive offering, shedding new light on the ancient rituals of Akragas, now known as Agrigento.

The discovery took place at excavation sites that are open to the public, allowing visitors to observe the archaeologists in action within the Valley of the Temples Archaeological Park in Agrigento. In the northern part of the Temple of Juno (Greek: Hera), the team found a display depicting the rituals of Akragas’ inhabitants, Caliber.Az reports via foreign media.

The display reveals offerings to various gods and the ancient Greek rituals practiced by the people of Akragas. One key practice involved performing a ritual and offering before moving into a new home. This ritual was seen as both a sign of respect and reverence for the gods, as well as a way to seek divine protection.

The new home ritual began with a simple offering placed at the entrance, which was nailed down and then set alight. The rising smoke symbolized the gods’ acceptance of the offering and ensured the household would receive divine protection. 

The rising smoke symbolised communication with the gods and an eternal devotion to them. Through this ritual, the people of Akragas demonstrated their commitment and reverence for the deities they worshipped. After the ritual, the offering was covered with a ceramic casing, which preserved it for about 2,500 years until its discovery. 

This ritual served as a way to establish a spiritual connection with the gods, forming a bond not only between the participants and the gods but also between the deities and the new home of the individual performing the ritual. 

Archaeologists are particularly intrigued by this ritual performed by the people of Akragas. The discovery provides valuable insight into the daily lives of the ancient inhabitants. Understanding their ritual practices also enriches archaeologists' knowledge of the ancient Greek pantheon and the methods used by people to honour or appease the gods. 

Numerous other finds have been made at the Valley of the Temples Archaeological Park in Agrigento, including terracotta busts of deities, oil lamps, vases, and bronze fragments. Beyond the ancient Greek votive offering found on Sicily, the site of ancient Akragas has proven to be an archaeological treasure trove, with many discoveries playing a crucial role in the ongoing research conducted by scientists in Agrigento, Sicily.

By Naila Huseynova