Originally discovered in 1885, the Sanctuary of Apollo in Cyprus was reburied and lost to the ages — until now.
Republic of CyprusThe excavation site of the rediscovered Sanctuary of Apollo in Cyprus .
Over a century ago , a German archaeologist uncovered a sprawling ancient site in Cyprus , a temple known as the “ Sanctuary of Apollo ” that was fill up with hulk statues . However , he reburied the site after his excavation , and its accurate location was lost . Now , archaeologists have rediscovered the temple — and found that it ’s even more dramatic than antecedently thought .
Starting in 2021 , archaeologists commence to search in earnest for the lost Sanctuary of Apollo . They in conclusion found it , and now they ’re let out the lose hoarded wealth they discovered at heart .
Republic of CyprusThe excavation site of the rediscovered Sanctuary of Apollo in Cyprus.
Rediscovering The Sanctuary Of Apollo
grant to astatement from the Republic of Cyprus Department of Antiquities , the Sanctuary of Apollo in Cyprus was originally bring out in 1885 by German archeologist Max Ohnefalsch - Richter .
Public DomainMax Ohnefalsch - Richter in Cyprus circa 1910 .
Ohnefalsch - Richter unearth the temple , which was once connected to the ancient city - land of Tamassos , in the Frangissa Valley . He excavated hundreds of votive statues , some of which were “ colossal . ” But then Ohnefalsch - Richter completely reburied the temple — and it was lost to time until the 21st century .
Public DomainMax Ohnefalsch-Richter in Cyprus circa 1910.
In 2021 , archaeologists from the University of Frankfurt , the University of Kiel , and the University of Würzburg began to turn up the site in search of the lost Sanctuary of Apollo . They successfully locate it and began searching through the treasure inside .
Thrillingly , the archaeologist found that the sanctuary was even richer in ancient artifacts than Ohnefalsch - Richter had primitively describe .
The Many Treasures Found In The Sanctuary Of Apollo
During the most late dig , archaeologists bring out the paries of the sanctuary court , as well as over 100 statue bases . Some of these were “ prodigious in sizing . ” Researchers also found statue sherd which , for whatever ground , had not been documented back in the nineteenth century .
Republic of CyprusArchaeologists were thrilled to find a riches of artifacts at the Sanctuary of Apollo , some of which had not been documented antecedently .
“ Apparently , in 1885 , during the rush to site impressive uncovering , these were not recognized as object , ” the Department of Antiquities observe in its statement . “ These determination significantly lucubrate our cognition of the sanctuary . Many tree branch from figurine in the Cyprus Museum and the Royal Ontario Museum in Toronto can be supplemented with the now found fragments and thus restore their original appearance . ”
Republic of CyprusArchaeologists were thrilled to find a wealth of artifacts at the Sanctuary of Apollo, some of which had not been documented previously.
Other discoveries at the internet site included new statue , include huge limestone feet , as well as votive objects like marbled pearl and glaze ceramic Egyptian talisman that were n’t documented by Ohnefalsch - Richter . Archaeologists also noted inscriptions on two statue floor , one in local Cypriot syllabic part and the other in Greek letters . The latter also include a denotation to the Ptolemies , the rule of Egypt , who control Cyprus during the Hellenistical catamenia .
According to the financial statement from the Department of Antiquities , happen like these suggest that the internet site played an authoritative cultural function in ancient times and beyond . Indeed , the Sanctuary of Apollo contains a wealth of artifacts , and archaeologists are eager to continue their excavation of the site .
“ In addition to these new finding , which promise to shed new spark on the worship of the deity through the votive statues , the hypothesis is once again gift to investigate the architecture of the sanctuary , which had been insufficiently document by Ohnefalsch - Richter , ” the instruction noted .
It continued : “ Further investigation of the surviving remain thus forebode to offer important and encompassing cognition that will help to reconstruct the ritual behaviors of the past times and will allow us to see them in their original spacial surroundings . ”
Now , 140 twelvemonth after Ohnefalsch - Richter ’s breakthrough , the Sanctuary of Apollo in Cyprus will finally be fully excavate — and cautiously document for succeeding generation to study and relish .
After reading about the rediscovered Sanctuary of Apollo in Cyprus , discover the stories behind12 of the most brawny deity in the Greek pantheon . Or , learn about theseven wonders of the ancient world , from the Colossus of Rhodes to the Lighthouse of Alexandria .
