The study was prepared by the archaeologist Aris N. Tsaravopoulos. It was published in the archaeognostic journal IOROS (volume 13, 1999).
Summary
The present paper presents the findings of a rescue excavation carried out in July 1999 at the site of Chorokambos in Paleopolis, Kythera. The excavation revealed a rock-covered cave with a tile-roofed extension, inside which a number of sherds were found dating to the first half of the 5th century BC. Of particular interest among these are two sherds bearing engraved inscriptions (graffiti).
The most important find is the rim of a melliferous tablet bearing the inscription «ALEAS», which is identified with the cult of Athena Alea. This discovery is extremely crucial, as it is the first inscriptional confirmation of the cult of this deity in Kythera, linking the island with the cult traditions of Laconia and Arcadia. The cave is interpreted as a small cult area (sanctuary), where believers deposited their vases after ritual meals.
In addition, a second inscribed fragment, which is part of a clay «pupil» plate, is being examined. This tablet is inscribed with a series of letters referring to spelling exercises, indicating the existence of some form of training or teaching that took place in the sanctuary. The author suggests that the tablet could belong to a teacher or be a student's admonition to the deity.
The study concludes that these findings shed light on unknown aspects of the religious and social life of Kythera during the classical period. The identification of the cult of Alea offers new data on the cultural contacts of the island, while the student tablet is a rare example of ancient educational activity in a cultic context.
