Miniature pottery vases discovered at an ancient shrine in Orchomenos, central Greece, are seen in this undated handout photo released by the Greek Culture Ministry on Wednesday, May 23, 2007. The ministry said archaeologists found thousands of offerings at the shrine, which was dedicated to fertility goddesses possibly the Three Graces. (AP Photo/Greek Culture Ministry)

Aglaya, Talía y Eufrósine son consideradas deidades de la naturaleza y la fertilidad

Las autoridades arqueológicas griegas anunciaron hoy el descubrimiento de las ruinas de un templo dedicado con toda posibilidad a las Tres Gracias -Aglaya, Talía y Eufrósine-, consideradas deidades de la naturaleza y la fertilidad.

Las ruinas se hallaron en Grecia central, cerca de la localidad de Orchomenos, 130 kilómetros al noroeste de Atenas, en las faldas de la montaña Akondio.

Los expertos también descubrieron multitud de estatuillas de doncellas y objetos en miniatura, por lo que comunicaron que se trata de uno de los descubrimientos más numerosos de los últimos años.

Las cerámicas están fechadas entre los siglos V y III a.C. y el lugar como sitio arqueológico era conocido desde la década de los años 50, informó el ministerio de Cultura griego.

El lugar había sido mencionado por el primer historiador de la Antigüedad, Pausanias, y por el poeta Pindaro.

Cerca de las excavaciones se ha descubierto también una necrópolis.

Fuente: EFE/MVC. Atenas, El Financiero.com.mx, 23 de mayo de 2007
Enlace: http://www.elfinanciero.com.mx/ElFinanciero/
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*** Archaeological Site of Orchomenos

(2) Clay pots found at ancient Greece shrine

ATHENS, Greece - Archaeologists in central Greece have discovered thousands of miniature clay pots and statuettes in the ruins of an ancient sanctuary possibly dedicated to the Three Graces, officials said on Wednesday.

In volume, it is one of the richest finds in recent years.

Excavations near Orchomenos, 80 miles northwest of Athens, revealed sparse remains of retaining walls from a small rural shrine, a Culture Ministry statement said.

But a rock-carved shaft was found to contain thousands of pottery offerings, dating from the early 5th century B.C. until at least the 3rd century B.C, the statement said.

The finds included miniature pots, clay figurines of women and animals, as well as clay busts and lamps.

"The identity of the deities worshipped there is not yet clear, but it is certain that they were goddesses associated with plant growth and fertility," the ministry statement said.

It said a famous sanctuary of the Three Graces — deities of growth and beauty — was known to have stood in ancient Orchomenos, and one of the offerings was inscribed with the name of Eurynome, mother of the Graces.

Source: Associated Press