Towards the promotion and exploitation of the cave located in the Gioura island turns the interest of the municipality of Alonissos. This monument is, moreover, very important and known locally as the cave of the Cyclops and counts the history of several thousand years.
Meanwhile, an autopsy performed yesterday scientists Ephorate Paleoanthropology and Speleology, archaeologist and engineer, who concluded that the monument has suffered interference and kept intact.
The two scientists went to Cave Boat Management Agency Marine Park of Alonissos, upon request submitted to the body.
The cave of the Cyclops, a very heavy history and objective of Alonissos municipal authority, is to explore the emergence and promotion prospects, in cooperation with the heads of the Inspectorate, which falls incidentally, the Ministry of Culture.
In a statement to the TACHYDROMOS Alonissos mayor Peter Vafinis emphasized that “exchanged views and we had a very useful discussion with the two scientists who carried out an autopsy in the cave. I think it is very important to utilization in any way and in this context will explore together with the address of the Ephorate Paleoanthropology and Speleology prospects that exist in order to achieve the objective. ”
The monumental discovery, which “hosted” Human life before 11,000 years, “resting” on the texts of Homer, which gives another dimension to the legend.
Rare findings discovered in the cave of the Cyclops, which is located on the island of Jura Sporades, during many months of excavation previously conducted by the Ephorate Paleoanthropology – Speleology of Southern Greece, led by Mr. Adamantios Sampson, prehistoric archeology professor at the University of the Aegean. The research achievement of the group, who dared to approach the legendary cave under extremely adverse conditions, bore fruit, which translated into surprising findings, ranging from the prehistoric period, reaching to the Roman and Byzantine times.
This cave, which as mentioned above was used 11,000 years ago, was investigated from 1992 to 1996, revealing the secrets concealed for many centuries.
Archaeologists discovered numerous ceramic high aesthetic tools of stone and animal bones, jewelry made from sea shells and dozens more items constituting evidence of the distant past.
The cave is on the south side of the island, is 50 meters long, 40 wide and 15 high, while the distinctive feature is that it is lacustrine as one goes inside, which makes it dangerous to approach. Any difficulties, however, did not discourage the research.
The excavations were extended mainly in the first room, near the entrance, where there is a high density of habitation, while inside, the research yielded few examples of use in the classical, Hellenistic and Roman period. Especially the Roman era represented by many findings in all areas of the cave, especially lamps, that lead us to believe that the selected period, the cave was used as a place of worship.
Source Tachydromos newspaper