Frangissa, Cyprus. Archaeologists have uncovered more than 20 ancient votive statue bases at the Apollo sanctuary in Frangissa near Pera Orinis, it was made known on Friday. The department of antiquities said the finds offer insights into ancient Cypriot sanctuary practices.
Finds from fifth excavation season
The department of antiquities said the statue bases were uncovered during the fifth season of excavations at the site, led by Matthias Recke, with fieldwork directed by Philipp Kobusch. It said many of the newly discovered bases were found in their original positions, unlike previous finds that had been used as backfill in 19th-century excavations, and some still have intact feet.
Site history and relocation
The sanctuary was first excavated in 1885 by Max Ohnefalsch-Richter, but the work was never fully published and the site’s exact location was later forgotten. The department said recent research enabled archaeologists to relocate the sanctuary and continue excavations using modern methods.
New evidence on clay figurines and sanctuary development
During the latest excavation, archaeologists also found clay statue fragments, which the department said provide the first evidence in Cyprus that clay figurines were mounted on limestone bases rather than placed directly on the ground. It said the findings highlight the sanctuary’s evolution, with some bases closely stacked or placed atop older layers, indicating that worshippers reorganised the site over centuries while keeping previous offerings visible.
Pottery layers and dating
Excavators uncovered undisturbed pottery layers dating to the Archaic period, confirming the sanctuary’s activity during that era. The department said the discoveries offer insights into religious practices, social life and the organisation of ancient Cypriot sanctuaries from the Archaic to the Hellenistic period.
What do you find most significant about the discovery of statue bases in their original positions at the sanctuary?