Votive Repository Discovered in House VII b of the Valley of the Temples in Agrigento

In the picturesque setting of the Valley of the Temples in Agrigento, a place steeped in history and mythology, an incredible treasure from directly from the past has emerged: an exceptional votive deposit consisting of more than sixty terracotta statuettes, protomes and female busts, oil lamps, small vases and bronze fragments, accompanied by a considerable amount of human bones. These fascinating finds were recently discovered during excavation activities conducted in House VII b, a key part of the residential complex located north of the famous temple of Juno. The excavation campaign, which brought to light these extraordinary finds, was financed and supported in a valuable way by the Sicilian Region through the Archaeological Park of Agrigento, under the competent guidance of archaeologist Maria Concetta Parello.

These finds represent an open window into the past and will allow scholars to peer closely into the dynamics that led to the tragic destruction of Akragas back in 406 B.C. at the hands of the Carthaginians. At that crucial moment in history, the city's inhabitants were forced to abandon their homes and flee to Gela, leaving behind everything that had constituted their daily lives, including their material possessions and votive objects dedicated to the deities they held in veneration. The location strongly suggests that the objects in question may have been recovered by the inhabitants of Akragas in an effort to preserve and honor their spiritual and cultural heritage.

In anticipation of the enhancement of these timeless artifacts, a meticulous restoration process has already been planned, which will preserve their beauty and authenticity for future generations. These artifacts will provide an opportunity to immerse ourselves in the lives and beliefs of our ancestors, opening a window to a fascinating past that has shaped the history of this region.