Archaeologists Reveal Ancient Greek Monument With Gold Artifacts

An archaeological excavation in Greece has revealed the remains of an ancient monumental building replete with marble lion sculptures and intriguing gold artifacts, among other finds. The dig, which began in early October, took place on a site around five miles southwest of present-day Aigio—a town on the Peloponnese peninsula, the Greek Ministry of Culture announced in a statement. The site is associated with an ancient city of the Achaea region. Investigations primarily focused on a building referred to by the Greek letter gamma ("Γ") that appears to date to before 300 B.C. Archaeologists managed to uncover various stone blocks and evidence of columns, while fully revealing the 55-foot-long kerb of the structure's southern side, in addition to other features. The available evidence so far indicates that the structure represents the "heroon" of the ancient settlement—a shrine or sanctuary dedicated to a hero. The heroon was typically a place of worship and veneration where the heroic figure, often from Greek mythology or local legend, was honored. These were typically erected at a site believed to be associated with the hero, such as their reputed tomb or a place of a significant event.

Such monuments were notable features within Greek cities or sanctuaries. They ranged from simple altars or memorials to more elaborate structures that could house cult statues and serve as venues for ritual activities, including sacrifices or annual festivals. Inside the monument, researchers found intact burials and a sarcophagus, which yielded "valuable" offerings of particular artistic significance. Among these finds were a pair of gold earrings featuring depictions of lion heads; a gold earring in the form of a naked, winged Eros figure with a scepter in his right hand and a wreath in his left; and a gold necklace. Eros, known as Cupid in Roman mythology, was the ancient Greek god of love and desire, often depicted as a winged youth with a bow and arrow. The offerings found inside the tombs of the building indicate that their occupants were wealthy and of high social status. Below the rubble that covered the building's facade, researchers also identified the remains of several lion sculptures, all carved made from Pentelic marble, a type of white marble quarried from the slopes of Mount Pentelikon in Attica, Greece. It is renowned for its golden-white color and is particularly noted for its use in ancient Greek architecture and sculpture. Perhaps the most famous example of Pentelic marble is the Parthenon on the Acropolis in Athens. This type of marble became the preferred material for many significant buildings and sculptures in ancient Greece due to its quality and durability. Do you have a tip on a science story that Newsweek should be covering? Do you have a question about archaeology? Let us know via science@newsweek.com.