A Look into Agrigento’s History
In the Valley of the Temples at Agrigento, located on Sicily’s southwestern coast, archaeologists have uncovered an extraordinary find—a substantial votive deposit featuring at least sixty terracotta figurines, female protomes, busts, oil lamps, small vases, and fragments of bronze.
The Deposit and Its Importance
These artifacts were discovered in House VII b, part of a residential area situated to the north of the Temple of Juno. This excavation project receives full funding and support from the Sicilian Region through the Valley of the Temples Archaeological Park, under the direction of Roberto Sciarratta and led by archaeologist Maria Concetta Parello.
Experts estimate that the deposit dates back to the early 4th century B.C., a period when Agrigentum was in the process of recovering from a catastrophic attack by the Carthaginians in 406 B.C. The votive deposit, positioned above the layers of destruction within the house, may shed light on the aftermath of this event and reveal the resilience of the Akragantines.
Agrigentum: A City Forged by Its Past
Agrigentum, the ancient city represented by the Valley of the Temples, boasts a rich and intricate history. Greek historian Thucydides noted that it was established around 582-580 B.C. by Greek settlers from Gela, with later contributions from colonists from Crete and Rhodes.
The city’s prosperity was fleeting; it fell to Carthaginian general Himilko in 406 B.C., forcing its inhabitants to seek refuge in nearby Gela. However, Himilko’s control was short-lived. In 399 B.C., Timoleon of Corinth triumphed over the Carthaginians and liberated the Greek cities throughout Sicily.
Exploring the Votive Deposit’s Mysteries
The finding of the votive deposit in the Valley of the Temples presents a rare chance to explore Agrigentum’s history. The wide variety of artifacts—including terracotta figurines, protomes, busts, oil lamps, small vases, and bronze fragments—offers valuable insights into the material culture and religious practices of this ancient city.
Further investigation is essential to determine the precise purpose and significance of this fascinating deposit, as well as its relationship to Agrigentum’s destruction and subsequent recovery. The archaeological team, spearheaded by Maria Concetta Parello, is dedicated to uncovering the mysteries contained within this significant discovery.
