Les aménagements cultuels dans les sanctuaires de la région de Paphos et de Marion. Fouilles récentes

Abstract

The aim of the following paper is to present cultic installations found within Cypriot sanctuaries of the Archaic and Classical periods excavated in the Paphos district. The study focuses on two examples representing two distinct areas, that of the kingdom of Marion to the north, and that of Paphos, to the south. The first mentioned concerns the sanctuary which was uncovered close to Yialia village, the first rural sanctuary to be excavated in the Marion area. Despite the large number of offerings that the place yielded, testifying to its long use from the Archaic to the Hellenistic period, the sanctuary seems to have had a very modest appearance during its existence, the centre of cultic interest probably being just a stone offering table for bloodless sacrifices. The second example concerns the sanctuary which was located on the site of Lingrin tou Dhigeni, close to Palaepaphos. Again it is a sanctuary on the periphery, with rich offerings and whose life ends in the 4th C BC. In contrast with the Yialia sanctuary, it comprises many constructions of rather rudimentary architecture, amongst which built cultic installations have been recognised, such as altars and a stone offering table, testifying to animal sacrifices. Although the finds from the Paphos area are not spectacular, for the first time they permit us to make comparisons with similar installations in other Cypriot sanctuaries as well as with sanctuaries in other parts of the eastern Mediterranean, and to highlight matters concerning cult in both areas.