The archaeologists ofEmpuriabrava have found the remains of a sanctuary from the 6th century BC possibly dedicated to Demeter, the goddess of agriculture. The place of worship was built during the founding period of the Greek city and lasted for at least three centuries. The archaeologist of the site, Peter Castanyer, explains that in previous campaigns they had already found “clues” of the existence of this sanctuary, such as fragments of terracotta figures. Now, this 2022 they have been able to excavate the area where it was based. Here, the discovery of a cult deposit where vessels and ritual objects have been unearthed stands out. Castanyer emphasizes that the sanctuary, which connected the port with the city, connects Empúries with the scheme of other Greek cities of the Mediterranean.
The 2022 excavation campaign in Empúries began at the beginning of October and will last until next Friday. It is part of the research project that focuses on the study of the old port areas of the site. This year, following the line of excavations carried out since 2018, the archaeologists have finished excavating the entire area that was part of the coastal facade of the ancient Greek city (where there was the primitive port, to which accessed directly from the beach with jetties).
The sector where it has been excavated is an area that is located next to the museum building, where until now there were several structures that were built during the 17th and 18th centuries (at a time when a convent was built of monks served over the remains of this part of the Greek city). An old ramp that connected the church and the central part of the convent with an area of vegetable gardens and a small workshop has been dismantled. After removing these structures, archaeologists have been removing layers of soil until reaching the foundation levels of the ancient emporion (corresponding to the sixth century BC). And it was here that they discovered the remains of the ancient sanctuary, which served as a link between the port and the city, and which was possibly dedicated to the goddess Demeter.
Archaeologists already had some clues about the existence of this place of worship. Among others, as specified by the curator of the Empúries museum, Pere Castanyer, the discovery of “votive offerings, such as small jars or vases, fragments of terracotta figures” and the discovery of a kitchen, surely linked to the sanctuary, where a multitude of shells appeared (which were part of the rituals).
Archaeologists have been able to confirm that the sanctuary dates back to the second half of the sixth century BC, parallel to the configuration of the urban center of the Neapolis, and which lasted at least until the third century BC. Several reforms were made there. Among these, Castanyer highlights the one that existed at the beginning of the 5th century BC, when the sanctuary was expanded with a terrace with a portico, where “remains of a ritual home, where offerings would be made”, have been found.
Deposit of worship
The different ritual vessels and terracotta pieces that had been found so far, often buried in wells (as per Greek custom), during this campaign, within the space of the sanctuary, archaeologists have located the remains of a deposit of cult Inside, there were small craters and holes, which is what has allowed us to verify that the chronology of the sanctuary extends at least to the 2nd century BC (something that was unknown until now).
Pere Castanyer also specifies that the place of worship is related to Demeter because this is indicated both by “the type of ritual and the terracotta representations of a female character” that have been found both in this and in previous campaigns. “Clearly, they are from this divinity,” says the conservative, referring to the Greek goddess of agriculture.
Powerful retaining walls
Archaeological data indicate that the evolution of this sanctuary, with the various extensions, led to the destruction of some of the first houses in the core of the Greek city (around the third quarter of the 6th century BC). In addition, powerful retaining walls were also built between the end of the 6th century and the beginning of the 5th century BC, which separated the worship space from the residential area.
From the excavation of the part where there were houses, the discovery of the remains of one of them stands out. It was organized from an uncovered central space, which communicated directly with a street, around which were the different rooms (such as the main area, with a central hearth, and spaces intended for storage).
From all over the Mediterranean
The Empúries archaeologist emphasizes that the discovery of the sanctuary connects the site with the other Greek settlements that exist throughout the Mediterranean, because they follow the same scheme. “The sanctuary served as a link between the city and the port, which is the main reason for the establishment of the settlement”, specifies Castanyer.
The archaeological research project focused on the old port areas of Empúries, which has promoted the Museum of Archeology of Catalonia (MAC), is carried out together with theGerman Archaeological Institute of Madrid. Its director, Dirce Marzolihighlights that the collaboration has made it possible to delve deeper into the paleolandscape of the area and to understand, in retrospect, the evolution of the site.
In order to publicize the results of the project, in addition to adapting the itinerary of the visit to Empúries, different initiatives have been planned (aimed at both the general public and scientists). Among these, visits, conferences, 3D restorations, a future exhibition or a workshop dedicated to places of worship in Greek port environments.