Huge Votive Finds from Valley of Temples in Sicily Shed Light on Exodus of 406 B.C.
Excavations in the historic Valley of the Temples (Agrigento) in Sicily have uncovered a huge votive offering consisting of 60 terra cotta statues, prototypes, a female bust, bronze fragments mixed with numerous bones, lamps, and small jars. This discovery unraveled the destruction of Akragas by the Carthaginians in 406 B.C., forcing the inhabitants to flee to the city of Gela.
From the Temple of Juno: Scientific Intervention with Important Results
A remarkable discovery came from House VII b, a section of the residential building to the north of the Temple of Juno. It is important to note that these votive objects were found on top of a layer of destruction within the dwelling. According to a press release from the Sicilian Regional Agency portal, this positioning suggests that the inhabitants placed these objects as offerings after the Carthaginian sack.
It is a scientific intervention that we have supported in recent years and that has had immediate and important results.” In the excavation area, where we can read in detail about historical events, most of the inhabited areas have already been identified, and they are Greek houses, whose main phase ended with the conquest and destruction of the city by the Carthaginians,” says Roberto Sciarratta, director of the Valley of the Temples Park.
Valley of the Temples Rich Mediterranean Architecture
This “valley” (it is misleading to call it a “valley” because it is located on a ridge outside of Agrigento) is part of the ancient city of Agrigentum in the province of Agrigento, Sicily. Historical records indicate that Agrigentum was built around 582-580 BC by Greeks who settled from Gela in eastern Sicily. In addition, settlers from Crete and Rhodes contributed to the development of Agrigentum, Heritage Daily reported.
The vast Valley of the Temples, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1997, covers 3,212 acres (4,046.86 m2) and boasts remarkable structures of ancient Greek civilization. The site was once part of the ancient city of Akragas, built by Greek settlers from Gela, Crete, and Rhodes. It became one of the most important Greek colonies in Sicily and a center of culture, trade, and architecture. It is famous for its very well-preserved ancient Greek temples and ruins, which offer a glimpse into the architectural and cultural achievements of ancient Greece. The massive Temple of Zeus on Olympus, the divine Temples of Castor and Pollux, and the venerable Temple of Hephaistos (Vulcan) are just a few examples. The Temple of Asclepius celebrates the art of healing, the radiant Temple of Concordia embodies harmony, the majestic Temple of Juno is considered the patron goddess of women, and the immortal Temple of Hercules is a tribute to strength.
The temples exhibit distinctive Doric architectural elements, including sturdy columns with fluted shafts and simple capitals. It is constructed of local sandstone and marble. In addition to the temple, in the valley of the temple is the tomb of Theron, a pyramid-shaped structure said to have been built to commemorate the Romans killed in the Second Punic War.
We are working tirelessly to recapture this moment in Sicilian history.” Discovering the Valley is currently experiencing an extraordinary season with more than 23,400 visitors in the last weekend alone. They arrived during the excavation campaign that began in 2019 and was subsequently blocked by Covid, which makes the discovery all the more important. It seems that all the sites are now telling us something,” concludes Francesco Paolo Scarpinato, councilor in charge of cultural heritage and Sicilian identity.
Source: Huge Votive Finds from Valley of Temples in Sicily Shed Light on Exodus of 406 B.C.
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