Listed 2 sub titles with search on: Archaeological sites for wider area of: "AGIA VARVARA Municipality HERAKLIO" .
RIZINIA (Ancient city) AGIA VARVARA
About 1km north of the village Prinias, is the site of the ancient
city Rizinia on top of a hill named Patela. There are no signs to the site but
the hill is easily seen. There is a path to the summit and a caretaker will open
the gate. The site attracts few visitors as the excavations are not extensive,
but there is a spectacular view north to Iraklion, south over the Mesara Plain,
and east to the mountains of Lassithi. The site of Prinias had been in use since
1500 B.C. through the Late Minoan and the Greek Periods. It is believed that Prinias
was also a refuge site for Eteocretans, similar to the one in Karfi. A sanctuary
found at the eastern part of the hill revealed numerous finds associated with
the snake cult, as well as a goddess figurine with raised arms similar to the
one found in Karfi. Two seventh century B.C. temples were also found in the middle
of the plateau. One shows a strong Minoan influence. Its temple was probably dedicated
to Rhea and it had reliefs of the lion goddess. The temple has been reconstructed
in the Iraklion Museum. The other temple is similar to the temple of Apollo in
Driros and has more Greek influence. On the western side of the hill was a castle
dating from the fourth to fifth century B.C. and a cemetery.
This text is cited Feb 2003 from the Crete TOURnet URL below, which contains images.
Region: Crete
Periods: Late Bronze Age, Dark Age, Geometric, Archaic, Classical,
Hellenistic
Type: Settlement
Summary: Early Iron Age Cretan refuge settlement in mountains.
Physical Description:
Near the modern village of Prinias in central Crete is a site
possibly to be identified with ancient Rhyzenia. The small, unwalled settlement
was established on the plateau (called Petela) of a steep and almost inaccessible
mountain. In addition to Archaic house remains, 2 small temples of the 7th to
6th century B.C. are located near the center of the plateau. There is also evidence
for a later cult to Athena at the E end of the plateau and on the W end are the
walls of a small Hellenistic fortress with corner towers.
Description:
The settlement is one of several Dark Age Cretan refuge
sites established at natural strong holds in the mountains. Its importance is
attested to by the Archaic temples and their sculptures, early inscriptions and
other finds. Religious activity at the site may have outlasted actual settlement
which had ceased by the 2nd century B.C. at the latest.
Exploration:
Halbherr and J. Alden explored the site in 1894. Excavations,
1907-1908, and since 1969 by the Italian School.
Donald R. Keller, ed.
This text is cited Oct 2002 from The Perseus Project URL below, which contains 1 image(s), bibliography & interesting hyperlinks.
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