Excavations at the ancient sculpture workshop located at Floga in Parikia, Paros, concluded for the year's season, revealing finds and architectural remains. The systematic excavation was conducted by the Cyclades Ephorate of Antiquities under the direction of Dr. Sophia Detoraki.
This year's archaeological research unveiled additional rooms of the building complex, with walls preserved at heights. Among the movable finds are unfinished marble sculptures, mainly of Aphrodite, clay heads of female figures, clay molds, seals, and a large quantity of pottery. These discoveries further support the operation of a sculpture workshop at the Floga site during the Hellenistic period, according to Kathimerini.
Deposits of marble breccia and chips in various areas of the site, along with the number of unfinished marble sculptures found, are indications of the site's function as a sculpting workshop during the Hellenistic period. The extensive layer of marble breccia deposited in the atrium, covering earlier phases, along with the large number of unfinished sculptures, documents the additional use of the space as a sculpting workshop.
The excavations brought to light architectural remains founded on earlier constructions, documenting the continuous use of the space over time. The latest remains are connected to earlier phases dating from the late 5th to the 4th century BCE. The movable finds from the earlier installation, including fragments of vessels—mainly tableware for food and drink—document the residential use of the space during the Classical period.
Based on newer excavation data, a radical reorganization of the space was observed at the end of the 3rd to the beginning of the 2nd century BCE. The internal arrangement of the revealed building units confirms the continuation of the residential character of the space during the Hellenistic period. Notably, the discovery of a room with a pebbled floor and sections of fresco that imitate orthogonal marble slabs, identified as a men's dormitory, reinforces the interpretation of continued residential use.
Deposits containing coloring substances, purples, and metal slags confirm laboratory activities in the wider area during a later period.
The excavation at Floga has a long history. The site began to be excavated in the mid-1980s, when three building complexes were uncovered. Archaeological research at the site resumed in 2008, and since 2013, the excavation has taken on a systematic character.
The scientific team includes archaeologist A. Papadimitriou from the Cyclades Ephorate of Antiquities, along with archaeologists Dr. Ath. Garoni and Sp. Petropoulos. Archaeologists D. Philippakis and S. Fragkedis also participated in the research. Students from the Universities of Athens, Thessaloniki, and Ioannina contributed to the excavation, including M. Vasilaki, V. Vasileiadou, D. Karathano, D. Koutsogianni, Sp. Koutouvali Menti, I. M. Lamprou, K. Miestri, Agg. Nomikou, and G. Savoglou.
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