Archaeologists excavating on the Greek island of Evia have uncovered a previously unknown ancient temple filled with heavily used altars and a rich collection of valuable offerings, marking another major discovery in the region, according to Popular Mechanics. Dating to the 7th century BC, the site is located near the renowned Temple of Amarysia Artemis, Greece’s Ministry of Culture has confirmed.
The temple, fully excavated in 2023, is around 30 metres long—typical in size for early Greek temples. Portions of its outer walls and a western arch have survived, but the most significant finds were made within the building itself. Inside, archaeologists identified several hearths that appear to have served as altars, pointing to sustained and intensive ritual activity.
One of the most notable features is a horseshoe-shaped altar. Thick layers of ash containing burnt animal bones indicate repeated sacrificial practices, while pottery recovered from the site suggests that ritual use may have begun even before the temple was constructed, possibly as early as the late 8th century BC.
The excavation also yielded a diverse array of offerings, including Corinthian alabaster vessels, Attic pottery, locally produced ritual ceramics, and jewellery made from gold, silver, coral, and amber. Researchers also found amulets originating from the eastern Mediterranean, along with bronze and iron fittings.
Constructed with mudbrick walls set on a dry-stone foundation, the temple reflects the marshy nature of the surrounding landscape at the time. Traces of fire damage suggest the building was later strengthened and expanded, likely during the late 6th century BC.
Even earlier layers at the site revealed bronze figurines of bulls and a ram dating to the Geometric period, as well as a Mycenaean clay bull’s head. Evidence also points to human activity at the location as far back as the 9th century BC, indicating that the area’s religious significance evolved gradually over several centuries.
