Thirty-five Years of Archaeological Research in the Ancient City of Kythnos (Cyclades)
Alexandros Mazarakis Ainian University of Thessaly
This talk summarises the field research (survey and excavations) undertaken for the past 35 years at the ancient city of Kythnos, in the Cyclades (modern “Vryokastro”). The settlement was occupied from the 10thcentury BC down to the early 7th century AD. Excavations have revealed a series of sanctuaries and public buildings on the acropolis and the upper town, dated from the Geometric to the Late Roman periods, highlighting religious and, to a lesser degree, political aspects of the lifecycle of the polis. Furthermore, on the small islet “Vryokastraki”, once connected to the coast, excavations have brought to light an additional sanctuary, as well as Proto-Byzantine architectural remains, including a three-aisled church, thus shedding light both on the earliest (12th century BC) but also the latest period of use of the settlement. Lastly, the underwater excavations of the bay of Mandraki complement our understanding of the organisation of the ancient harbour installations.