Chania - Archaeological site of Falasarna - 2022
General Information
Record ID
18531
Activity Date
2022
Chronology
Key-words
Cave - Sanctuary - Religious building - Temple - Figurine - Tools/weapons - Sculpture - Metal - Glass
Type of Operation
Institution
Εφορεία Αρχαιοτήτων Χανίων (Ephorate of Antiquities of Chania)
Υπουργείο Πολιτισμού και Αθλητισμού (Ministry of Culture and Sports)
Localisation
Toponym
Falasarna
Falasarna
Linked Record
2022
Report
Archaeological site of Falasarna. Elpida Chatzidaki (Ministry of Culture and Sports) and E. Papadopoulou (Ephorate of Antiquities of Chania) report findings from the ancient temple of Demeter at the Acropolis of Falasarna that date to the Archaic and Classical periods.
Before it collapsed, the temple was built on a rocky hill, at the plateau between two mountain peaks, with a natural cave with plenty of water. After the collapse, the rocky hill was used as a sanctuary for chthonic deities related to earth, water, fertility and the symbolism of water as a life source.
Excavations at the rocky areas have unearthed naked female figurines left as votive offerings that date to the early Archaic period (650 BC). Their main characteristic is the daidalic hairstyle and the tall polos. Other findings that date to the 6th c. BC include objects made from Egyptian or Phoenician glass, clay figurines of birds and animals, arrowheads and spearheads, miniature pottery vessels, enthroned female figurines, and a female figurine holding a poppy flower and a pomegranate. Findings that date to the 4th c. BC, include hudriskes, a beaked jug with a red-figured representation of a flying cupid, iron pieces, and objects made of alabaster.
Before it collapsed, the temple was built on a rocky hill, at the plateau between two mountain peaks, with a natural cave with plenty of water. After the collapse, the rocky hill was used as a sanctuary for chthonic deities related to earth, water, fertility and the symbolism of water as a life source.
Excavations at the rocky areas have unearthed naked female figurines left as votive offerings that date to the early Archaic period (650 BC). Their main characteristic is the daidalic hairstyle and the tall polos. Other findings that date to the 6th c. BC include objects made from Egyptian or Phoenician glass, clay figurines of birds and animals, arrowheads and spearheads, miniature pottery vessels, enthroned female figurines, and a female figurine holding a poppy flower and a pomegranate. Findings that date to the 4th c. BC, include hudriskes, a beaked jug with a red-figured representation of a flying cupid, iron pieces, and objects made of alabaster.
Author
Georgios Mouratidis
Bibliographic reference(s)
https://www.culture.gov.gr/el/Information/SitePages/view.aspx?nID=4408#prettyPhoto
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Date of creation
2022-11-15 12:02:59
Last modification
2023-08-21 12:57:36
Picture(s)
Fig. 1/ View of the temple after the excavation in 2022