The Discovery the Terracotta Army of Agia Eirini
In the heart of the Kyrenia district, lies the quaint village of Agia Eirini, also known as Akdeniz. This picturesque place, under the de facto control of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, is home to an extraordinary archaeological find: the Cypriot Terracotta Army.
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The 1929 Discovery
The story begins in 1929 when the Swedish Cyprus Expedition uncovered an ancient sanctuary. This site housed more than two thousand terracotta figures dating back to 650-500 B.C. The local priest, Papa Prokopios, played a pivotal role. He captured a looter in his field and took a stolen terracotta statue fragment to the Nicosia museum. This caught the eye of Einar Gjerstad, leader of the Swedish Cyprus Expedition.
Excavation Revelations
Excavations began in November 1929, revealing a sanctuary used from 1200 B.C. to the end of the Cypriot Archaic period. Just half a meter below the surface, archaeologists discovered around two thousand terracotta figures. These figures, arranged in a semicircle, depicted priests, warriors, commoners, and animals. The largest ones stood life-sized, showcasing the diversity and artistic skill of the time.
The Sanctuary’s Evolution
The Agia Eirini sanctuary evolved over centuries. Initially, it featured rectangular mud-brick houses on stone foundations, arranged around a central courtyard. This courtyard served various purposes, including religious ceremonies. Cult objects such as offering tables, large storage jars, and terracotta bull figures filled the space, indicating a focus on agrarian deities.
Over time, the sanctuary underwent significant changes. A new sanctuary, built atop the old, featured an open temenos and a peribolos (priest’s garden). Terracotta offerings, especially bull figures, surrounded an altar covered in ash and charred remains. This setup hinted at blood sacrifices as part of the rituals.
Cultural Shifts and Flooding
During the Cypro-Geometric III period, the sanctuary’s walls were raised, and a new altar was erected. Votive offerings evolved, introducing anthropomorphic figures and minotaurs. This shift reflected a growing anthropomorphization of the deity, now seen as a warrior divinity.
The sanctuary peaked during the Cypro-Archaic I period, expanding to accommodate more structures. These included enclosures for sacred trees, echoing Minoan culture. Bull-masked figures, likely priests, suggested rituals involving music, evidenced by figurines with tambourines and flutes.
Repeated flooding led to the sanctuary’s abandonment around 500 B.C. However, a brief revival occurred in the 1st century B.C., though on a smaller scale.
The Journey to Modern Museums
The sanctuary fell into oblivion until Papa Prokopios unknowingly cultivated corn over the ancient terracotta sculptures. Looters, aware of the treasures below, led to the site’s rediscovery. In 1931, half of the artifacts went to Sweden, now housed in Stockholm’s Medelhavsmuseet. The other half remains in the Nicosia museum, showcasing Cyprus’s rich cultural heritage and the work of Swedish archaeologists.
Challenges and Future Research
Despite its significance, the Agia Eirini sanctuary’s history and archaeology remain under-researched. This is due to the initial focus on terracotta figures and the site’s inaccessibility. However, a research project launched in 2011 by Medelhavsmuseet aims to address these gaps. By studying pottery fragments from the Swedish expedition, new evidence about the site’s chronology and cultic activities is emerging.
Conclusion
The Cypriot Terracotta Army of Agia Eirini offers a fascinating glimpse into ancient religious practices and artistic achievements. From its accidental discovery to its display in modern museums, this archaeological treasure continues to captivate and inspire, revealing the rich cultural tapestry of ancient Cyprus.
Sources:
archaeology.wiki
labrujulaverde.com
Flickr
BBC
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