Gift, offering, and reciprocity: personalized remembrance and the "small finds." (includes bibliography) (Gifts to the Goddesses: Cyrene's Sanctuary of Demeter and Persephone)

Article Abstract:

A great number of small objects were found during the excavation of the Sanctuary of Demeter and Persephone outside the walls of Cyrene. The purpose of these widely varied objects is difficult to judge. Some of them such as figurines were clearly votive offerings, others such as simple rings and tools do not have a clear purpose. Figurines of birds may have been surrogates or mementos of real offerings. Engraved gems may have been offered as a symbol of personal dedication. Anonymous gifts, prominent early in the Sanctuary's history, gave way to personalized gifts intended to gain personal blessing.

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The sanctuary's history and architecture

Article Abstract:

Construction of the Sanctuary of Demeter and Persephone outside the walls of the ancient Greek city Cyrene was begun around 610 BC about a generation after the founding of the city. Its architecture followed many of the features found in other Demeter sanctuaries including a system of terraces and retaining walls protected by outer walls. Inside were independent shrine houses, votive dumps, and storage rooms often fronted by columned entrances and tiled in mosaic. The sanctuary was badly damaged by an earthquake in 262 AD and destroyed by another in 365 AD.

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Excavations at the extramural sanctuary of Demeter and Persephone at Cyrene, 1969-1981

Article Abstract:

Excavation of the extramural sanctuary of Demeter and Persephone at Cyrene in Libya was begun by a team from the University of Michigan in the summer of 1969. By the end of that first summer half a dozen large marble and limestone statues had been unearthed along with large amounts of pottery, coins, jewelry and amulets. This established a pattern for the rich site where excavation continued until 1981 when it was stopped for political reasons.

Archaeology

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