Sights
Kythnos Island is of a rather special archeological interest, although various archaeological sites that are already known, have not yet been excavated. Maroulas, on the northern east side of the island, was the oldest prehistoric Cycladic establishment. This side dates back in the Mesolithic Period (8.500 – 6.500 B.C.). The excavations brought in light remnants of circular constructions which had been possibly used as residences; also, some burials were found there. Kythnos seems to have played an important role in the development of early metallurgy. An important site of Early Cycladic period (3rd millennium B.C.) was explored at Skouries, a sheer coast in the North East side of the island.
There are many establishments of historic times. Several circular and rectangular towers from the classic ages stand out. The fortified acropolis, which is called Oria Castle today, is on the North steep side of the island. That acropolis was the capital of the island during the Byzantine times and the Latin occupation; but it seems that it had already been inhabited since prehistoric times. On the other side of the island on the South West coast, it seems that one more fortified acropolis was established, Kastellas; it was founded in the early historic ages but it was abandoned at the end of the archaic period. The ancient capital of the island, which is the North West side of the island and is called Vriokastro today, was called Kythnos according to ancient sources.The surface research has brought into light many findings and the town planning and the residential organization of the fortified town were clearly identified. According to the findings, that town was constantly inhabited from the 10th century B.C. to the 6th century A.D. The underwater excavation of the ancient port (Mandraki bay) from 2005 to this date is conducted by the University of Thessaly under the auspices of the Inspectorate of Marine Antiquities. Furthermore, two marble statues of the Roman Period and parts of the coastal fortified wall has been found.
At the top of the Acropolis there is an important sanctuary dedicated to Demetra; it was in use from the 8th century B.C. to the 1st century A.D. At a lower level, an oblong wide and flat opening is formed along the ridge. Two monumental rectangular structures are found there, they are possibly temples that date back to the 4th or 3rd century B.C. Another sanctuary is found on the northern part of this opening. The excavations of the University of Thessaly, which are conducted under the auspices of the 21st Inspectorate from 2002 to this date, have lead to important discoveries. The findings date back to the archaic until the Hellenistic ages. Two built altars and next to them a twin temple which was probably constructed in the early archaic ages (7th century B.B.). The adytum of the temple was found intact with the numerous offerings in place. They are mostly price less jewels and offerings which date from the archaic ages. The identity of the worshipped gods remains unclear, despite the fact that there are indications that the sanctuary was dedicated to Apollo and Artemis. So far, ancient Kythnos was considered to be rather poor; this viewpoint had occurred from limited philological and inscribed evidence. But the wealth as well as the various and exotic provenance of the findings lead to a revision of that viewpoint.
The most important site in times is Vryokastro of Rigokastro, as it is called today; it is on the northern east side of the island and according to the ancient sources it was called Kythnos. The surface research in 1990 – 1995 brought to light many findings and the town planning and the residential organization of the town were clearly identified. According to the findings it was constantly inhabited from the 10th century B.C. to the 6th – 7th century A.D. Among the numerous findings, there are sepulchral bas-reliefs, sculptures, architectural findings inscriptions, shards of archaic jars with bas-reliefs, the Attic pottery of archaic and classic ages, sealed handles of trading amphoras and so on. Taking into account the surface pottery, the town was abandoned in the 6th or 7th century A.D. When the residents moved to the fortified settlement in Oria Castle.
The underwater research and the excavation of the ancient harbour of Vryokastro in Mandraki bay started in 2005 and are still in progress. At the sea bottom the foundations of coastal walls have been located. In addition, a breakwater of 100 metres length which set to the South the entrance of the harbour. The whole basin and the buildings found on the shore and underwater have been imprinted. In 2007, one of those went under excavation; it is probably part of the sank coastal fortified wall. The excavation in 2008 and 2009 brought to light from the sea bottom important marble statues of the Roman Period, among which an armour-bearing torso of the 1st century B.C. and three hermaic steels of the 2nd century A.D.
The number and kind of findings ( earth ware figurines of women –urn porters- children, various illuminating apparatus, elefsinian items ) as well as the inscriptions found at Demetra’s sanctuary in Elefsinia safely get to the conclusion that the sanctuary was dedicated to Demetra. Archaeological findings in the region of Maroylas, testify that the island was inhabited during the period of Mesolithic season (9.000 – 8.000 B.C.). Archaeologists’ unearthed circular dwellings and graves, while finds included a human skeleton and a number of stone tools made from firestone, quartz, and obsidian. The site is the only open-air Mesolithic settlement known in Greece.