17 September 2025 The Future is the Product of the Past

Excavation in Larissa finds a Hellenistic era sanctuary

The Hellenic Ministry of Culture and Sport reported on Friday the discovery of ancient Greek and Hellenistic era structures at the archaeological site of Skiathas near Larissa, central Greece.

According to the announcement, excavation data so far show that it was a Hellenistic period (3rd-2nd century BC) sanctuary made of alabaster and local stone. Architectural elements were found, such as part of the entablature and five Doric capitals. In addition, a statue base, a column section, a marble bank foot, and two marble child heads, a girl and a boy, were found inside.

The excavation site is located near the port of Agiokampos in the coastal region of Kato Polydendri in the Municipality of Agia in the Prefecture of Larissa.

Excavations to find ancient Greek remains have been carried out at the archaeological site’s thickly wooded and very inaccessible acropolis. Parts of the Hellenistic-era edifice, however, were beginning to appear due to severe weather and potential human interference over the years.

Hellenistic-era structures were recently found in Larissa, Central Greece. Photo: Hellenic Ministry of Culture and Sports
Hellenistic-era structures were recently found in Larissa, Central Greece. Photo: Hellenic Ministry of Culture and Sports

The research is being conducted under the supervision of archaeologist Nektaria Alexiou.

The Larissa digs also turned up transportable Hellenistic-era Greek discoveries such as iron nails, an iron arrowhead, bronze rings, copper bottle pieces, various lead objects, and copper Thessalian and Macedonian coins.

Child Statue from the Hellenistic-era archaeological site in Larissa, Central Greece. Photo: Hellenic Ministry of Culture and Sports
Child Statue from the Hellenistic-era archaeological site in Larissa, Central Greece. Photo: Hellenic Ministry of Culture and Sports

Many clay artifacts, including clay cloth weights, clay lamps, paintings, drinking containers, and remnants of commercial amphorae, were discovered alongside the metal artifacts. Seal tiles containing the names of ceramic workshop owners, as well as a tile with the word “MELIVOIAS,” were discovered among the clay fragments. This has led academics to conclude that the ancient Greek hamlet of Skiathas and the major ancient metropolis of Magnesia Melivoia are linked.

This is the first structure from the walled ancient Greek city to be discovered outside of the city walls. This new structure, as well as a recently found square tower dating mostly from the Byzantine period, are currently being researched.

By continuing their investigations of this coastal area, researchers hope to uncover answers to many key archaeological problems from the Ancient Greek and Hellenistic eras.

Cover Photo: Hellenistic-era structures were found this week in Larissa, Central Greece. Photo: Hellenic Ministry of Culture and Sports

Related Articles

Huge ancient stone murals discovered in central China: “It is an important discovery that enriches and rewrites the art history of the Song Dynasty”

10 October 2022

10 October 2022

Two stone murals from the Northern Song Dynasty (960-1127) have been discovered in Henan Province, central China, and are the...

Oldest Fortresses in the World Discovered in Siberia

8 December 2023

8 December 2023

Archaeologists from Freie Universität Berlin together with an international team have uncovered fortified prehistoric settlements in a remote region of...

New Study Exposes Origins of Welsh Dragons

7 June 2024

7 June 2024

In a new study conducted by a team from the University of Bristol and published in the Proceedings of the...

5,000-Year-Old Fortress Discovered in Romania Using LiDAR Technology

22 March 2025

22 March 2025

Archaeologists have unveiled a 5,000-year-old fortress hidden deep within the forests of Neamț County, Romania. This remarkable find, made possible...

Archaeologists uncovered largest Bronze Age burial site of Nitra culture in Czech Republic

19 October 2024

19 October 2024

Archaeologists have uncovered the Nitra culture’s largest Bronze Age burial site near Olomouc in Central Moravia, during their rescue research...

Lost Medieval Synagogue Unearthed: Foundations of a Major Jewish Center Rediscovered in Southern Germany

14 September 2025

14 September 2025

Archaeologists have uncovered the long-lost remains of one of the most important medieval Jewish centers in southern Germany. Excavations at...

Most important Discovery in New Zealand Archaeology: Ocean Waka

5 March 2025

5 March 2025

What began as a routine search for wood by Vincent and Nikau Dix on Rēkohu (Chatham Islands) has led to...

Mystery ax discovered off the coast of Arendal of Norway

26 July 2021

26 July 2021

Researchers have discovered a find that could be a first for Norwegian archeology. A hollow ax, which researchers believe dates...

A mosaic made by the freed slave to thank God was found in the church excavation

10 January 2022

10 January 2022

During the season excavation of the 6th-century Holy Apostles Church, located in an orange grove in the Arsuz district of...

A 2000-year-old bronze military diploma was discovered in Turkey’s Perre ancient city

2 January 2022

2 January 2022

During excavations in the ancient city of Perre, located in the southeastern Turkish province of Adiyaman, archaeologists uncovered a bronze...

An Interesting Ottoman Tradition Resembling Christmas tree: “NAHIL” OR WISHING TREE

28 December 2022

28 December 2022

Nahıl, a word of Arabic origin, means date palm. This word was later used by the people to mean the...

New discoveries at the Sanxingdui Ruins demonstrate ancient China’s creative ability

9 September 2021

9 September 2021

Chinese archaeologists revealed fresh important finds at the Sanxingdui Ruins site in southwest China’s Sichuan Province on Thursday, from pits...

Radiocarbon dating shows that the Roman settlement of Karanis survived in Egypt until the Arab Conquest in the 7th century AD

13 May 2024

13 May 2024

New research results are rewriting the history of Karanis, an ancient Greco-Roman agricultural settlement in the Fayum oasis in Egypt....

An inscription containing 15 headless falcons and unknown ancient rituals found in an ancient Egyptian temple

8 October 2022

8 October 2022

Archaeologists have discovered a shrine containing previously unknown ancient rituals during excavations at Berenike, a Greco-Roman port in Egypt’s eastern...

8,500-year-old marble statuette found in Çatalhöyük

28 December 2021

28 December 2021

In the 29th season of the excavations in Çatalhöyük, one of the first urbanization models in Anatolia, in the Çumra...