The
Archaeological Museum of Kea
was founded in the 1970’s in the capital of the island, Ioulis, in order to house the finds derived from the excavations of the prehistoric
sites at Kephala and Agia Eirene, as well as from the archaeological surveys conducted in the island during the following decade.
After a major renovation (1997-2002) and
reorganization
of its exhibition halls, the museum is now reopened to the public, presenting its two permanent collections:
I. The
prehistoric collection,
on the second floor, includes the burial finds from the Late Neolithic cemetery of Kephala and the finds from the Bronze Age settlement
of
Agia Eirene. The exhibits represent fine specimens of Cycladic
pottery, terracotta and marble figurines, and the notable terracotta female statues of natural size from Agia Eirene.
II. The
historical collection,
on the first floor, houses an important exhibition of sculptures, architectural members, and inscriptions dating from the Archaic to the
Roman period, the most important being the pedimental sculptures from the Archaic temple of Athena at
Karthaia.
Among the most important exhibits of the museum are:
•
Marble conic glass from the Neolithic cemetery of Kephala. 3300-3200 BC.
• Early Cycladic marble figurines from the settlement of Agia Eirene, dating between 2500-2000 BC.
.
• "Marine style" jar from the settlement of Agia Eirene. The decoration bears motifs inspired from the sea world, hence the term "Marine Style". Dated to the 16th-15th centuries BC.
•
Terracotta female statue from the sanctuary of the settlement at Agia Eirene. Dated to the 15th century
BC.
•
Torso of Athena’s marble statue from the south pediment of the temple of Athena at Karthaia. Dated to
500 BC.
• Base of the corner acroterion from the south pediment of the temple of Athena at Karthaia, bearing the name of Theseus inscribed on the stone. Dated to the 6th or 5th century BC.
• Inscribed base of a bronze statue. The feet of the figure are preserved with the plinth. On the base a votive inscription is carved, dedicating the statue to Apollo. It was found at Hellenica and
dates from the 4th century BC.
• Funerary stele from Ioulis. The grave stele is crowned by a pediment and is decorated with a relief representation. An inscription reads "ΑΛΕΙΝΗΣ (Σ) ΔΙΟΝΥΣΙΩ ". Dated to the 1st century BC.
