Unraveling the Mysteries of Ancient Healing: The Asklepieion of Feneos and the Head of Ygeia

The journey to health and well-being is as old as humanity itself. Ancient civilizations, particularly in Greece, carved unique paths to healing. One standout location is the Asklepieion of Feneos, an ancient sanctuary dedicated to Asclepius, the revered god of medicine. In this article, we will uncover the wonders of this sanctuary and examine the vital role of Ygeia, the goddess who personified health.

New Discoveries at the Asklepieion of Feneos

The Asklepieion of Ancient Feneos is located in the Feneos valley, on the eastern foothills of the southern hill of the Acropolis, at an altitude of 750 meters. The first excavation began in 1958 by the late E. Protonotariou-Deilaki, bringing to light significant parts of the sanctuary. From 2007 to 2014, the Ephorate of Antiquities of Corinthia carried out site enhancement projects, documentation, and mapping of architectural remains, along with minor test excavations.

In 2015, the first phase of a systematic excavation program by the Ephorate of Antiquities of Corinthia was completed under the direction of Konstantinos Kissas, Professor of Classical Archaeology, in collaboration with Professor Torsten Mattern of Trier University in Germany.

The main phase of the sanctuary dates back to the second half of the 2nd century BCE and includes a central hall (Room B), where an inscribed base once held acrolithic statues of Asclepius and Ygeia, created by the Athenian sculptor Attalus. The floor of the hall was decorated with intricate geometric mosaics. Room A contained a base with bronze and stone statues, as well as a marble offering table. Room C, located south of Room B, features a window instead of an entrance, making its purpose unclear.

In front of the rooms, an Ionic-style peristyle and an open courtyard were discovered. The latest excavation revealed that the peristyle had a "Π" shape and that the sanctuary's main entrance was on the eastern side, with a secondary entrance to the north. Successive construction phases date back as early as the second half of the 4th century BCE. The sanctuary was likely destroyed by an earthquake in the 1st century CE and later rebuilt as a site for imperial worship.

Notably, the site's use dates back to the Middle and Late Helladic periods, with the earliest structures dating to the late 7th - early 6th century BCE.

Walls and a Sanctuary in Ancient Feneos

Significant new findings have emerged from the five-year research project "Ancient Feneos," a collaboration between the Ephorate of Antiquities of Corinthia and the Austrian Archaeological Institute in Athens. Excavations uncovered a double-faced wall measuring 230 meters in length and up to 4.5 meters in height, reinforced with five towers with diameters of 5.5 to 6 meters. The wall is dated to post-345 BCE, confirmed by the discovery of a bronze coin from Sikyon.

Excavations also revealed evidence of habitation from the Neolithic period, along with a sanctuary dedicated to a female deity, with construction phases spanning from the Archaic to the Classical period. Votive offerings include pottery, clay figurines, bronze objects, and jewelry.

Ancient Feneos, a significant Arcadian city, was located in what is now the Corinthia Regional Unit, at an altitude of 770 meters. Ongoing excavations continue to unveil new insights into the history and significance of the area.