Description of field project:

The university excavation at the site of "Vryokastro" of ‘Kythnos’ (Cyclades) has been in progress since 2002 following a systematic surface survey during the years 1990-1995 and 2001. This site is identified with the homonymous ancient capital of Kythnos island, which was inhabited from the 12th century BC to the 6th-7th century AD.

The excavations are conducted in collaboration with the Ephorate of Antiquities of the Cyclades of the Greek Ministry of Culture and have brought to light several sanctuaries, active from the Geometric (8th c. BC) to Late Roman (4th c. AD) periods. All these sanctuaries yielded numerous rich offerings, which form today the core of the exhibits of the new archaeological museum of the island, inaugurated in May 2023. Excavations were also conducted in the islet ‘Vryokastraki”, where remains of the Old Christian and Proto-byzantine periods were unearthed (including a three-aisled basilica church). In the ancient harbor, underwater excavations, in collaboration with the Ephorate of Underwater Antiquities, revealed the various harbor installations as well as several Roman marble sculptures. Currently the excavation focuses on the Acropolis of the town, divided in two sectors: a rich sanctuary at the northern part, dedicated to the cult of Demeter and Kore, and a military fortress at the southern part