A significant number of grave steles dated back to the Classical Years, some of them carved in very high relief, were discovered during an excavation conducted by the University of Athens at a Classical era cemetery in Xobourgo on the island of Tinos, ANA reports.
Grave stele depicting a man with his slave (4th century BC) Photo Source: Greek Culture Ministry
The significance of the sculptures is huge as they provide information on the classical sculpture history of the island. These high quality works are the link between the history of ancient sculpture and the tradition of modern Tinos sculpture.
The face of the man in column 4 as found in the destruction layer. Photo Source: Greek Culture Ministry
According to a Greek Culture Ministry’s announcement, the cemetery is situated at the southeastern foothills of Xobourgo and was the main cemetery of ancient settlement that developed in the Classical era.
The classic cemetery on the south-eastern slopes of the Xobourgo hill Photo Source: Greek Culture Ministry
The settlement, established just before 1,000 BC, was surrounded by huge walls and was initially used as “refuge settlement”. Later, it developed into the most important settlement of Tinos which constituted the main economic and political centre of the island until its abandonment at the end of the 4th century BC.
Lower part of a tombstone (end of 5th century BC) Photo Source: Greek Culture Ministry
