Archaeologists have recently uncovered an ancient workshop on the Greek island of Paros, revealing a wealth of artifacts and unfinished sculptures from the Classical period. The excavation, announced by Greece’s Ministry of Culture through a Facebook post in May, was conducted at the Floga archaeological site. This site, which has been under study since the mid-1980s, yielded new architectural remains and intriguing finds, including semi-finished marble sculptures and various pottery fragments.
The excavation revealed that the site was continuously used from the late 5th century B.C. onwards, with the latest remains connected to the late 5th to 4th centuries B.C. The discovery of a room with a pebble floor and sections of wall painting imitating marble slabs has been identified as an ‘andron’ (men’s room), reinforcing the notion that the site functioned as both a residential space and a sculpture workshop. The site’s reorganization at the end of the third century B.C. indicates its dual use throughout the Classical period.
Among the notable finds are semi-finished marble sculptures, primarily of Aphrodite, clay heads of female figures, and clay molds and stamps. The collection of a large quantity of pottery further emphasizes the site’s significance. Additionally, the extensive layer of marble chips in the courtyard, along with the large number of sculptures, suggests that the site was also utilized as a dedicated sculpture workshop. These findings underscore the richness of ancient Greek cultural history and the enduring value of archaeological research in uncovering lost artifacts.
Recent archaeological discoveries on the Greek island continue to draw considerable attention, with other notable finds including the unearthing of an ancient Greek lecture hall and the excavation of a 2,000-year-old shipwreck in the Aegean Sea. These expeditions highlight the ongoing importance of preserving and studying ancient history, offering insights into ancient civilizations and their cultural practices.