Archaeologists discover wealthy tombs, sacred shrine in Greece

According to an article posted on its website, Newsweek highlights that recent archaeological discoveries in Greece shed new light on the ancient past, uncovering remarkable finds that highlight the grandeur of Greek civilization.

An archaeological excavation in Greece has uncovered the remains of an ancient monumental building adorned with marble lion sculptures and fascinating gold artifacts, among other discoveries.

The dig, which began in early October, took place about five miles southwest of modern-day Aigio, a town on the Peloponnese peninsula, according to a statement from the Greek Ministry of Culture. The site is believed to be linked to an ancient city in the Achaea region.

The investigation focused mainly on a structure designated by the Greek letter gamma ("Γ"), which is thought to date back to before 300 B.C. Archaeologists uncovered various stone blocks, traces of columns, and a fully exposed 55-foot-long kerb along the building's southern side, along with other significant features.

Current evidence suggests that the structure is the "heroon" of the ancient settlement—a shrine or sanctuary dedicated to a hero. Heroons were typically places of worship where heroes, often from Greek mythology or local legend, were honored, usually located at sites believed to be linked to the hero, such as their tomb or the site of a legendary event.

Such monuments were prominent features in Greek cities and sanctuaries, varying from simple altars or memorials to more intricate structures that could house cult statues and host ritual activities, including sacrifices and annual festivals.

Inside the monument, archaeologists discovered well-preserved burials and a sarcophagus, which contained "valuable" offerings of notable artistic importance.

Among the items uncovered were a pair of gold earrings with lion head designs, a gold earring shaped like a winged, naked Eros holding a scepter in his right hand and a wreath in his left, and a gold necklace. Eros, known as Cupid in Roman mythology, was the Greek god of love and desire, often depicted as a youthful winged figure with a bow and arrow.

The offerings found in the tombs within the building suggest that the individuals buried there were wealthy and held high social status.

Beneath the rubble that covered the building's facade, researchers also uncovered several lion sculptures, all carved from Pentelic marble. This type of white marble, quarried from the slopes of Mount Pentelikon in Attica, Greece, is prized for its golden-white hue and was widely used in ancient Greek architecture and sculpture.

One of the most famous examples of Pentelic marble is the Parthenon on the Acropolis in Athens. Due to its superior quality and durability, Pentelic marble became the preferred material for many significant Greek buildings and sculptures.

By Naila Huseynova