Akragas: New archaeological discoveries reveal the wealthy city of ancient Greece.

The ancient Akragas is coming back to life more than ever after the recent archaeological discoveries made in Sicily. The name refers to the original nucleus of Agrigento, the so-called Valley of the Temples that the whole world envies. The site, declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1997, continues to amaze, as confirmed by the recent findings.

Valley of the Temples

The Sicilian Region, which funded and supported a campaign to bring many treasures to light, has reported these discoveries. The archaeological park in question has not disappointed expectations, and these new findings will be very useful in better understanding what happened over two millennia ago in this fascinating area of the island.

Discoveries in the Valley of the Temples Delving into the details of the discoveries, archaeologists have come across a votive deposit characterized by numerous terracotta figurines, busts of women, vases, bronze objects, and much more. In the Valley of the Temples, various bones have also been found, impressive testimonies of past life in the area.

Akragas was founded in 581 BC by colonists from the Greek city of Gela, which in turn was founded by citizens of the island of Rhodes. The city became very wealthy, to the extent that the poet Pindar described it as “The most beautiful of the cities of mortals.” Even today, we admire the magnificent temples that have remained in the “Valley of the Temples,” an incredible tourist attraction. The location was optimal: situated 4 km from the sea, it managed to prosper through trade without being directly subjected to the incursions of the Carthaginians, who were enemies of the Greeks. At the height of its wealth, it had a population of 300,000 inhabitants.

The excavations mainly focused on one of the buildings that had been discovered some time ago, part of the residential complex north of the Temple of Juno. As previously mentioned, this will finally help answer a question that has puzzled experts: what was the actual fate of the city of Akragas?

What is now Agrigento was completely destroyed in 406 BC by the Carthaginian army, 406 years before the birth of Christ. Those who lived in this part of Sicily at the time were forced to abandon their homes and retreat to Gela. In other words, the area that now corresponds to the Valley of the Temples emptied rapidly. The Sicilian Valley is now experiencing a truly magical moment. Visitors have increased significantly, and the archaeological excavation campaign, which began in 2019, has regained momentum after the pandemic-induced hiatus. The work is set to continue with equal enthusiasm.

Upcoming Excavations in the Valley of the Temples The goal for the future is to better understand how the votive deposit in the Valley of the Temples was used. The artifacts already hold great promise, but it will be necessary to connect the deposit itself with the stratigraphic levels of the terrain. Restoration is, of course, mandatory, and as announced by the Sicilian Region, there will be a dedicated effort to promote the recently discovered treasure. This is not the first time this region of Sicily has brought portions of ancient settlements to light, specifically homes dating back to the Greek era. The history of Akragas dates back more than half a millennium before the birth of Christ.

Its foundation is indeed dated to 581 BC, following the development of the polis Gela and the need for some colonists to curb the expansion eastward. The city was then situated between two rivers, Akragas and Imera, about four kilometers from the sea. The location was ideal for developing trade by water and relying on a coast that the Greeks did not visit as often as the eastern one. The Valley of the Temples encompasses much of that ancient life and preserves a quantity of treasures greater than what has always been believed.