Archaeologists Find New Treasures at the Temple of Artemis in Evia

Archaeologists have discovered new findings in the Temple of Artemis, which is located east of Amarynthos in Evia, central Greece.

The temple of Artemis was discovered in 2017 during an excavation carried out by the Swiss Archaeological School in Greece in cooperation with the Evia Ephorate of Antiquities.

The excavation work began at the site over a decade ago.

The new findings at the site include embossed tiles with the inscription “Artemis” and three statue bases dating from the Hellenistic era with inscriptions dedicated to the goddess, her brother Apollo, and their mother Leto.

The findings helped identify the other buildings that were excavated over the last 10 years at the sacred site. According to ancient writings, it was one of the most important temples in Evia.

The previously excavated buildings are two galleries that define the temple from the east and north, as well as a sacred fountain.

Archaeologists discover treasures at temple of Artemis in Evia

The excavations at the site were led by Professor Karl Reber of the University of Lausanne, Director of the Swiss Archaeological School in Greece, and Amalia Karappaschalidou, head  of Antiquities of Evia.

The research was focused on the central site of the sanctuary, which revealed the ancient temple and the altar.

Excavators discovered significant finds at the site, such as a copper quartz figurine, part of a statue of Artemis, and a new sculpture base bearing the names of Artemis, Apollo and Leto.

The Swiss and Greek archaeologists also investigated the remains of earlier building phases at the site dating from the 10th to the 7th century BC, such as an elongated building over 20 meters in length, dating back to the Early Archaic period, which rested on an arched building.

The ancient site of Eretria, Evia

The excavations indicate that the foundation of the temple of the goddess Artemis at the edge of the fertile plain east of Eretria is connected with the fortifications found at the border of the ancient city.

Excavations of ancient Eretria began in the 1890s and have been conducted since 1964 by the Greek Archaeological Service.

Today it is the home of the Evia Ephorate of Antiquities, and it boasts an archaeological museum – the most significant in Evia – and an ancient theater dating back to the 5th century BC that hosts Ancient Greek tragedies and modern plays.

The most important site excavated there is the Temple of Apollo Daphnephoros. Artifacts found at this ancient site are displayed at both the Louvre and National Archaeological Museum in Athens.

However some pieces have remained in place at Eretria, notably the terracotta centaur from Lefkandi, dating back to the 10th century BC.