Archaeological Site of Agia Irini

Opposite Vourkari there is the archaeological site of Agia Irini with its eponymous quaint church. The pre-historic settlement of Agia Irini (3300 B.C.) was one of the most important settlements in the Aegean Sea and part of it was inhabited until the Hellenistic Period (3rd – 2nd century B.C.).

The excavation of the site was accomplished between 1960 and 1981 by the University of Cincinnati and Professor J. L. Caskey. The most important remnants are unique in the Cyclades, the temple of Dionysos (2000 B.C.), the remnants of fortification walls, a complex of towers (2000 – 1500 B.C.), parts of the water supply and drainage systems (15th century B.C.) and the Mansion of the Master remnants of a luxurious building with Mycenaean architecture (16th – 15th century B.C.)

However, the most impressive and unique globally archaeological find of the site of Agia Irini is the fifty female statuettes of clay “Kores” from the late Copper Age. The statuettes, many if them in normal height (80 cm – 1.60 m) with long dresses, with colorful flowery garlands round their necks, with big busts covered or not with transparent clothing had their hands on their waists giving the appearance of dancing; so the probably were worshipers, priestesses or deities. Today they are on display at the Archaeological Museum in Ioulida as well as all the other finds of the site of Agia Irini.

Source: kea.gr