The latest excavations which were carried out thanks to the courtesy of the Foundation A& P Kanellopoulou, I.. Latsis, AG Leventis, Ath. Martinou and the Ministry of Marine and Aegean, resulted to important findings and were published today.

The systematic investigation of the past seventeen years by the archaeologist G. Kouragio (KA’EPKA) has revealed an extensive and rich archaic sanctuary probably founded by the Parious. The center of worship was a protected courtyard mosque, in which dominated the marble prostyle temple with a colonnade of 7 columns with a height approx. 7m. while next to it the ritual altar.

This year’s excavations have brought to light very closely the entrance of the mosque, a large new building, which was added to the other 12 buildings that have been revealed by previous studies and the 5 found in the islet Tsimintiri, which in archaic period was connected with the Despotico.

The excavation of the building has not yet been completed, but has become clear the plan of the complex with at least five rooms. Based on the findings is dating back to the classical period.

Also from the excavations other amazing findings were brought to light, such as  archaic roof tiles, clay crown tiles from the roof of the building, animal figurines, vases shaped like bullheads, a lion’s head, horn, decorated Parian pottery workshops, bronzes and jewelry, vases inscribed dedicated to Apollo .
The numerous finds of this season include two leg parts with the plinth archaic kouros added to 65 parts sculptures which have been found so far, thus a finger of a colossal statue which probably belongs to the cult statue of the temple (490 BC 480-) .