Posted on 09/08/2018 8:41:35 AM PDT by SunkenCiv
Archaeologists have made a huge discovery with signs of habitation stretching from the Protocycladic era until the 7th-8th century AD, which was unearthed at Vryokastro on the island of Kythnos, the site of an ancient city, and the nearby islet Vryokastraki that was once connected to the island by a narrow isthmus.
The excavation work was carried out from June 24 until August 4 and finds include an early Christian basilica with later additions, including two towers and strong exterior walls, a number of rectangular rooms partly carved from rock that was used until late antiquity and obsidian tools and pottery shards of the Protocycladic era.
The latter provides the first definitive proof of a 3rd millennium BC Protocycladic settlement on Vryokastraki, according to an announcement by Cyclades Antiquities Ephorate and Thessaly University, which noted that some of the stone-carved rooms may also date back to this time.
It also showed evidence that the location was resettled in the 12th century BC after a period when it was abandoned, and then continuously inhabited from that time until the 7th or 8th century AD since all subsequent eras are represented by finds unearthed on the site.
The city, which archaeologists believe was based on the islet, started to shrink in the early Byzantine period and was finally abandoned, with the remaining inhabitants moving to the fortress now known as Orias Castle.
(Excerpt) Read more at greekcitytimes.com ...
The excavation work was carried out from June 24 until August 4 and finds include an early Christian basilica with later additions, including two towers and strong exterior walls, a number of rectangular rooms partly carved from rock that was used until late antiquity and obsidian tools and pottery shards of the Protocycladic era.
“including two towers and strong exterior walls”
probably necessary because of the advent of muslim raiders.
I’ll buy it.
Very cool
The View Tax on the properties likely became unbearable....
It may have been; it may have been added by those very same raiders when they took over. For that matter, it may have been because of piratical raids by their very own neighbors in the Aegean.
Fascinating.
Here’s a ping to the GGG weekly digest list, because I’ve gotten lazy and probably won’t be posting anything else for the balance of the weekend. Hope yours is great!
Kythnos Is Not Santorini (But That’s What Makes It Awesome)
http://travelwithbender.com/travel-blog/greece/kythnos-not-santorini-thats-what-makes-it-awesome
Amazing.
“Discovery” seems to be the wrong term. That site has been known for centuries.
The latter provides the first definitive proof of a 3rd millennium BC Protocycladic settlement on Vryokastraki...
Thank you. I was wrong.
showed evidence that the location was resettled in the 12th century BC after a period when it was abandoned, and then continuously inhabited from that time until the 7th or 8th century AD since all subsequent eras are represented by finds unearthed on the site.
The city, which archaeologists believe was based on the islet, started to shrink in the early Byzantine period and was finally abandoned, with the remaining inhabitants moving to the fortress now known as Orias Castle.
Does anyone think the arrival of Arab Muzzy sea raiders in the Med might have caused folks to fort up? More from the Religion of Piece.
Exactly my thought.
I realize that is a farfetched, even shocking notion to FR readers, but it's just possible that the genocidal rapists and slavers of the religion of pieces may have had something to do with the decline of the place. OTOH, there's not much evidence of that kind of thing, other than the underground cities in Turkey that can house 20,000 people, stuff like that. :^) :^D
The site of the Original Keg Party has been found !
Neat!
I’ve been to the island of Sifnos, the second island south of Kythnos. Those are some rugged islands!
On Google Earth, check out
Lat 37° 24.474'N
Lon 24° 23.710'E
Looking straight down (no tilt), eye alt ~1300 ft, and rotated so that southwest is at the top...
You should recognize the first photo (overhead) view in the article
Enjoy!!
TXnMA
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