• About
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use
  • Donation
  • Contact
No Result
View All Result
Archaeology News
  • Home
  • News
    • Archaeology
    • Anthropology
    • Paleontology
  • Academics
    • Books
    • Conferences
    • Universities
  • Articles
  • VR Tours
  • Quiz & Game
  • Download
  • Encyclopedia
  • Forum
Archaeology News
No Result
View All Result
Home News Archaeology

Offerings to goddess Demeter unearthed at Falasarna acropolis in Crete

Dario Radley by Dario Radley
November 14, 2022
A A
Share on FacebookShare on Linkedin.Share on RedditShare on Whatsapp

Excavations in the ancient city of Phalasarna (Falasarna), in the far west of Crete, have uncovered hundreds of offerings to the goddess Demeter in the ruins of an ancient temple, the Greek Ministry of Culture and Sports announced late last week.

Offerings to goddess Demeter unearthed at Falasarna acropolis in Crete
Statue of Demeter, 1st – 4th century CE. Credit: Mary Harrsch, Flickr

According to the announcement, the discoveries were made by Dr. Elpida Hadjidakis and her team, who found a variety of ancient artifacts beneath the tiled floor of the temple sanctuary, including dozens of vases.

The inscription on one vase, translated by archaeologists, read “A K E S T O I D A M A T R I [dedicated to the goddess Demeter].

Artifacts discovered in Falasarna suggest connections to the ancient Egyptians and Phoenicians.

The discoveries include figurines, spearheads, vases, and enthroned feminine figures, which mainly date back to the Archaic period (700-500 BCE) and were unearthed in the central region of the ancient temple of Demeter.

RelatedStories

Ancient Hellenistic sculpture workshop with unfinished statues unearthed at Floga site on Paros island, Greece

Ancient Hellenistic sculpture workshop with unfinished statues unearthed at Floga site on Paros island, Greece

May 20, 2025
Hidden optical secrets of the Parthenon revealed by Oxford archaeologist

Hidden optical secrets of the Parthenon revealed by Oxford archaeologist

May 7, 2025

Phalasarna is a Greek harbor town located on the west coast of Crete, which experienced a prosperous period during the Hellenistic era. The city was mentioned in ancient sources by historians and geographers, such as Scylax, Strabo, Polybius, Livy, and Pliny. Large, impressive buildings and artwork that have been discovered in the ruins of the city suggest that its thriving maritime activities contributed to its success.

The Roman Republic invaded the city and destroyed it in 69-67 BCE. The remarkable 365 CE earthquake on the west coast of the Island of Crete was another historical event that ensured Falasarna would be a lost city for hundreds of years.

The city’s location was forgotten until it was rediscovered in the 19th century by British explorers Robert Pashley and Captain T. A. B. Spratt.

The currently visible remains of Phalasarna include numerous majestic sandstone towers and bastions, and hundreds of meters of fortress walls protecting the city.

ShareTweetShareShareSend

You May Also Like...

Viking Age burial near Aarhus linked to Harald Bluetooth’s noble allies unearthed in Denmark
Anthropology

Viking Age burial near Aarhus unearthed with ties to Harald Bluetooth’s noble allies

June 23, 2025
1,000-year-old pre-Inca mummy linked to Chancay culture unearthed during gas work in Lima
Anthropology

1,000-year-old pre-Inca mummy linked to Chancay culture unearthed during gas work in Lima

June 23, 2025
New study confirms ancient human footprints in New Mexico date back 23,000 years
Anthropology

New study confirms ancient human footprints in New Mexico date back 23,000 years

June 22, 2025
Sinkhole in York uncovers remains of medieval St Leonard’s Hospital, one of northern England’s largest
Archaeology

Sinkhole in York uncovers remains of medieval St Leonard’s Hospital, one of northern England’s largest

June 22, 2025
Ancient ritual spear from Japan’s sacred island reveals East Asia’s earliest gold-inlaid sheath
Archaeology

Ancient ritual spear from Japan’s sacred island reveals East Asia’s earliest gold-inlaid sheath

June 21, 2025
50 World War-era helmets discovered near Wrocław University, Poland
Archaeology

50 World War-era helmets discovered near Wrocław University, Poland

June 21, 2025

Follow us


Instagram
247K

Facebook
108K

Threads
42K

LinkedIn
12K

Twitter
6K

YouTube
1K
  • Trending
  • Comments
  • Latest
Viking age DNA reveals 9,000-year-old HIV-resistant gene originating near the Black Sea

Viking age DNA reveals 9,000-year-old HIV-resistant gene originating near the Black Sea

May 18, 2025
Secrets of the mysterious Gobi wall revealed: archaeologists uncover imperial purpose behind 200-mile structure

Secrets of the mysterious Gobi wall revealed: archaeologists uncover imperial purpose behind 200-mile structure

May 28, 2025
Viking-era boat burial unearthed in Norway reveals 1,100-year-old remains of woman and her dog

Viking-era boat burial unearthed in Norway reveals 1,100-year-old remains of woman and her dog

June 9, 2025
6,200-year-old ‘cone-headed’ skull found in Iran reveals cranial modification and death by blunt force

6,200-year-old ‘cone-headed’ skull found in Iran reveals cranial modification and death by blunt force

June 13, 2025
Ancient Chinese star chart dated to 2,300 years ago may be the oldest ever, challenging astronomy history

Ancient Chinese star chart dated to 2,300 years ago may be the oldest ever, challenging astronomy history

May 17, 2025
$1 million prize offered to decipher 5,300-year-old Indus Valley script

$1 million prize offered to decipher 5,300-year-old Indus Valley script

Oldest ever genetic data from a human relative found in 2-million-year-old fossilized teeth

Oldest ever genetic data from a human relative found in 2-million-year-old fossilized teeth

A 21-year-old student successfully deciphered the first word from the Herculaneum scrolls, charred during Mount Vesuvius' eruption

A 21-year-old student successfully deciphered the first word from the Herculaneum scrolls, charred during Mount Vesuvius’ eruption

New evidence reveals the source of mercury in the mausoleum of the first Qin emperor

New evidence reveals the source of mercury in the mausoleum of the first Qin emperor

Oldest US firearm discovered in Arizona: a 500-year-old relic of Coronado's expedition

Oldest US firearm discovered in Arizona: a 500-year-old relic of Coronado’s expedition

Viking Age burial near Aarhus linked to Harald Bluetooth’s noble allies unearthed in Denmark

Viking Age burial near Aarhus unearthed with ties to Harald Bluetooth’s noble allies

June 23, 2025
1,000-year-old pre-Inca mummy linked to Chancay culture unearthed during gas work in Lima

1,000-year-old pre-Inca mummy linked to Chancay culture unearthed during gas work in Lima

June 23, 2025
New study confirms ancient human footprints in New Mexico date back 23,000 years

New study confirms ancient human footprints in New Mexico date back 23,000 years

June 22, 2025
Sinkhole in York uncovers remains of medieval St Leonard’s Hospital, one of northern England’s largest

Sinkhole in York uncovers remains of medieval St Leonard’s Hospital, one of northern England’s largest

June 22, 2025
Ancient ritual spear from Japan’s sacred island reveals East Asia’s earliest gold-inlaid sheath

Ancient ritual spear from Japan’s sacred island reveals East Asia’s earliest gold-inlaid sheath

June 21, 2025

Archaeology News online magazine

Archaeology News is an international online magazine that covers all aspects of archaeology.











Categories

  • Academics
    • Books
    • Conferences
    • Universities
  • Articles
  • Download
  • Game
  • News
    • Anthropology
    • Archaeology
    • Paleontology
  • Quiz
  • Tours

Subscribe to our newsletter

© 2024 - Archaeology News Online Magazine. All Rights Reserved.

  • About
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use
  • Donation
  • Contact

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password? Sign Up

Create New Account!

Fill the forms below to register

All fields are required. Log In

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In

Add New Playlist

  • Home
  • News
    • Archaeology
    • Anthropology
    • Paleontology
  • Academics
    • Books
    • Conferences
    • Universities
  • Articles
  • VR Tours
  • Quiz & Game
  • Download
  • Encyclopedia
  • Forum

About  .  Contact  .  Donation

© 2024 - Archaeology News Online Magazine. All Rights Reserved

We use cookies to improve your experience and enable functionality and security of this site. Further detail is available in our Privacy Policy. By accepting all cookies, you consent to our use of cookies and use of data.