The archaeological excavation campaign at the Greek site of Empúries this summer has brought to light an altar, unique to date in the Iberian Peninsula, which will help explain the rituals of the old colony. It is in a very good state of preservation and was possibly dedicated to Demeter, to the goddess of agriculture and fertility, Demeter, to whom they dedicated a sanctuary on the site.
The discovery of the altar has been unveiled this Friday by the Museu d'Arqueologia de Catalunya (MAC), owner of the site and of the research work.
The altar was built in the northern sector of the site, in an uncovered area. The first works indicate that it had several levels of paving and use. The Greeks called this type of structure eschára.
The MAC plans to value this find in the immediate future, integrating it into a visit to the place, of exceptional value and beauty.
This archaeological intervention is part of the work of the research project
promoted by the MAC since 2018. In collaboration with the German Archaeological Institute of Madrid, this project aims to study the ancient port areas of the old Hellenistic city.
Archaeological data confirm that this sanctuary began to be defined towards the end of the 6th century BC, parallel to the configuration of the urban center of the Neapolis, and that with various reforms and extensions it lasted until the Greek city was abandoned some four hundred years later. , at the end of the first century AD.
The archaeological intervention is a continuation of the actions carried out in this area of the site since 2018, which have made it possible to definitively recover the ancient topography of the Greek city, as well as to advance in the knowledge of the evolution of urbanism, to know the morphology of the buildings and Finally, also understand the connection of the city with the port. This was the main axis of its economy and the element of connection with other Mediterranean regions.
The works have also involved the documentation and dismantling of various structures built between the 17th and 18th centuries, at which time a convent for Servite monks was built on top of the Greek city.
