A Glimpse into Agrigento’s Past
In the Valley of the Temples in Agrigento, on the southwest coast of Sicily, archaeologists have made a remarkable discovery – a rich votive deposit containing at least sixty terracotta figurines, female protomes, busts, oil lamps, and small vases, along with bronze fragments.
The Deposit and Its Significance
The objects were found in House VII b, which is part of the housing complex north of the temple of Juno. The excavation campaign is fully funded and supported by the Sicilian Region through the Valley of the Temples Archaeological Park, directed by Roberto Sciarratta, and led by archaeologist Maria Concetta Parello.
Archaeologists believe the deposit dates back to the early 4th century B.C., a time when the city of Agrigentum was recovering from a devastating sack by the Carthaginians in 406 B.C. The votive deposit, arranged above the destruction levels of the house, may provide insights into the aftermath of this event and the resilience of the Akragantines.
Agrigentum: A City Shaped by History
Agrigentum, the ancient city that now makes up the Valley of the Temples, has a rich and complex history. According to the Greek historian Thucydides, it was founded around 582-580 BC by Greek colonists from Gela, with further colonists from Crete and Rhodes.
The city’s prosperity was short-lived, as it was routed by the forces of Carthaginian general Himilko in 406 B.C. The residents of Agrigentum were forced to flee to nearby Gela, but Himilko’s conquest did not last. In 399 B.C., Timoleon of Corinth defeated the Carthaginians and liberated the Greek cities in Sicily.
Unlocking the Secrets of the Votive Deposit
The discovery of the votive deposit in the Valley of the Temples offers a unique opportunity to delve into Agrigentum’s past. The diverse array of objects, including terracotta figurines, protomes, busts, oil lamps, and small vases, along with bronze fragments, provide a glimpse into the material culture and religious practices of the ancient city.
Further research is needed to define the exact function and significance of this intriguing deposit, as well as its connection to the destruction and subsequent recovery of Agrigentum. The archaeological team, led by Maria Concetta Parello, is committed to unraveling the secrets hidden within this remarkable find.
