Significant finds that include an extensive early Christian church and early Byzantine buildings, as well as monumental structures from a much-older ancient sanctuary, have been unearthed by archaeologists on the rocky islet called Vryokastraki, opposite the ancient city of Vryokastro on the island of Kythnos.
According to an announcement issued by the culture ministry on Thursday, the later proto-Byzantine construction activity was so intense that it disturbed the older buildings dating back to antiquity. In fact, many of the partially-ruined ancient remains were scavenged to build numerous walls and enclosures in later structures.
The site also revealed a wealth of ceramics dating to the sixth and the first half of the seventh centuries AD, after which the city of Kythnos was abandoned, its inhabitants moving to the Castle of Oria, the island’s medieval capital.
“The intense proto-Byzantine use of the rocky islet, which appears to have been the region where the city shrunk in later antiquity, lasts until at least the 7th century, at which time it is abandoned,” the researchers said, noting that this was also shown by finds made in two other locations which were investigated.
Source: AMNA
See all the latest news from Greece and the world at Greekreporter.com. Contact our newsroom to report an update or send your story, photos and videos. Follow GR on Google News and subscribe here to our daily email!
