Clay figurines and other important findings were unearthed by archaeologists in the Tsakiridis section in the center of the ancient Greek city Aigai in Vergina, northern Greece. The artefacts were presented as part of the Archaeological Conference on the 2014 excavations in Macedonia and Thrace, which takes place at Aristotle University of Thessaloniki.
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| Clay relief of Eros [Credit: Greek Ministry of Culture] |
According to the archaeological team statement, excavations in the Tsakiridis sector began in 2005-2006 and since then have taken place over short periods of time, with little funding. “During the short excavation periods we have come across several interesting findings from the city’s late Hellenistic and Roman era,” noted the archaeologists.
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The outer lid of the bronze mirror showing Eros flying into the
arms of Dionysos [Credit: Greek Ministry of Culture] |
Twenty-one graves were found in the necropolis of Aigai, six of which had not been looted. One of the most impressive findings in the necropolis was the tomb of a young girl (4th century BC).
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Gold earrings found in one of the richer graves
[Credit: Greek Ministry of Culture] |
Her parents had buried her along with gold ornaments, earrings and beads, and a small, bronze masterpiece, a mirror with Eros and Dionysus carved on the outer lid. Eros (Cupid) is depicted as a young child flying into the embrace the god Dionysus.
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View of the excavations at the Aigai necropolis
[Credit: Greek Ministry of Culture] |
The richest tomb in the necropolis, which had unfortunately been looted, contained fragments from a funerary bed decorated with clay carved plaques, depicting the goddess Athena watching a battle between Greeks and barbarians.
Source: Ethnos [March 05, 2015]
