“Spectacular” temple dedicated to the ancient Greek god discovered by archeologists: Treasures of 2,700 years found

Archaeologists have discovered an ancient “spectacular” temple that houses hundreds of statues dedicated to the Greek god Apollo.

The place, known as the Sanctuary of Apollo, is located in a remote valley of Cyprus and it is believed that the artifacts discovered up to 2,700 years date back to 2,700 years.

A team of German experts started excavating initially in the area in 2021, with the findings of its four -year excavation spread in a statement from the Cyprus Antiquities Department.

)[The sanctuary] It was provided with a great abundance of votive statues that numbered the hundreds, some of which were colossal, “read the Greek translated statement in English.

“In addition, evidence of other previously unknown votive objects, such as marble glass pearls or Egyptian amulets made by Faience, were also found [tin-glazed pottery]. “”

Apollo, the Greek god of archery and the son of Zeus, was a prominent deity in ancient Greek and Roman mythology.

The Sanctuary of Apollo was first discovered by the German archeologist Max Ohnefalsch-Richter in 1885, and was “considered one of the most spectacular findings of his time.”

However, after its “inappropriate” excavations, Ohnefalsch-Ricter rebuilt the site, causing its precise place for more than a century to be forgotten.

In 2021, the new team of German archeologists rediscovered the lost temple in the remote Frangrissa Valley, near the old town of Tamassos.

After performing a more extensive examination of the site, they discovered treasures that were initially overlooked, including fragments of colossal statues, parts of which seemed to be feet.

“Apparently in 1885 [the votive statues] They were not recognized as an artifacts in the hurry, “said the new statement from the Cyprus.

Thus, the new one finds “mainly expand our knowledge of this sacred place”.

“The statues μany at the Cyprus Museum and the Royal Ontario Museum in Toronto can be completed with recently found fragments and restored -in its original appearance,” the statement continued.

“New types of statues that were previously unknown by Frangissa have also been documented. The discovery of feet clearly larger than life, for example, means that the existence of colossal male limestone figures of the archaic era can now be demonstrated.”

“These figures greater than life before were only known here in Frangissa made from terracotta, including the famous” Colossus de Tamassos “at the Cyprus Museum exhibition.”

In the meantime, the discovery of two inscriptions on the bases of the figures dates from the 6th and 7th centuries BC.

“The discovery of two bases with inscriptions is spectacular,” he read the statement. “One is inscribed with several local cypro-silbics characters, while the other refers to Greek letters in the Ptolemies, the Hellenistic rulers of Egypt, who also controlled Cyprus at that time.”