[PIO] Excavation at the Sanctuary of Apollo at Frangissa, in an area of the village of Pera Orini

The Department of Antiquities, Deputy Ministry of Culture announces that in October 2022 an excavation was carried out at the Sanctuary of Apollo at the site of Frangissa, in an area of the village of Pera Orini. The excavation was conducted by Goethe University Frankfurt, under the direction of Professor Matthias Recke and funded by the Amricha Foundation Leipzig. The field director was Philipp Kobusch (Kiel University).

Two years ago, a team of researchers from the German universities of Frankfurt and Kiel succeeded in locating the sanctuary of Apollo at Frangissa, near Pera Orini, whose location was unknown after 1885 and which was thought to be lost. In 2021, a first period of excavation revealed traces of ancient quarried stones, although the interpretation of the complex history of their construction and function within the sanctuary area was then left open.

In 2022, work continued with the aim of not only re-discovering the areas that came to light during the 19th century excavations and documenting them using modern methods, but also to investigate the area around the sanctuary, which remained unknown.

Ancient sanctuaries were complex and multi-dimensional sites that provided not only facilities for ritual practices but were also sites for various social, political and economic functions. Through the investigation of the sanctuary at Frangissa, the current research project aims to explore these complex structures, which often evolved over many centuries, and to gain important insights into the function of ancient shrines.

The excavations allow for a more detailed examination of the architectural remains discovered during last year's excavation. It is a precinct of an unbuilt site measuring at least 12x17 metres. The walls consist of carefully placed stone slots that reach a height of up to 1.20 metres and survive relatively intact up to their upper part (Fig. 1). These walls served as bases for bricks, which did not survive. Despite its fragility, parts of the carefully smoothed, flat earthen floor of the sanctuary have been partially preserved.

Based on our knowledge to date, the construction of this complex can be dated to the Hellenistic period. However, after its construction it underwent successive reconstructions and extensions. In a later phase, diagonal walls were added, changing the interior of the courtyard. In addition, parallel flat stone bases were placed along the outer walls, probably to support columns and to support the roof in the hall that surrounded all sides of the courtyard. This would have provided protection from the weather, especially for the more valuable votive offerings. Towards the end of the excavation, a stepped structure consisting of carefully carved stones was discovered near the courtyard. Such large and good quality stones had not been found at Frangissa until then. Not only the precision in carving but also the fact that it was made of imported stone makes this find unique. All the architectural elements in the sanctuary were made of local limestone. Therefore, this discovery represents an important monument and its complete excavation in a subsequent period will greatly increase our knowledge of the furnishings of the sanctuary.

While the exact relationship between the Hellenistic courtyard and the previous excavations, as well as the central area of the sanctuary, remains unknown to this day, its sacred character in relation to the sanctuary has been unequivocally demonstrated by the rich finds, such as votive figurines (Fig. 2). The central area of the sanctuary, which also included a roofless courtyard with a covered worship room, dates to the Archaic period. The newly excavated structures demonstrate a phase of wider expansion of the sanctuary of Frangissa during the Hellenistic period, which significantly increased the built area and expanded the possible uses of the sanctuary. The Hellenistic sanctuary is more than twice the size of what we know today.

Another important find are clay fragments, which, although at first seem insignificant, are of great beauty. These fragments belong to a larger than natural male clay figure, which, like the famous Colossus of Tamassos in the Cyprus Museum (which come from the same sanctuary), was assembled from many different pieces. The figure's garment is adorned with engraved ornaments. Similar fragments were found in 1885 and transferred to the Cyprus Museum. The newly recovered fragments match these older fragments perfectly, proving the identification of the sanctuary with the site excavated in 1885, an identification which previously relied on circumstantial evidence.

Continued excavations next year will further investigate the function of the courtyard and its precise connection with the central area of the sanctuary.

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Figure 1: Part of the Hellenistic enclosure

Figure 2: Head of an Archaic period warrior figurine

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