Phrasiklia and Kouros: the masterpieces of archaic sculpture buried to be rescued from the Persian invaders, and how they were found at Porto Rafti
In 1968, an ancient marble inscription was discovered, placed as building material in the church of Panagia Merenda on the mountain of the same name near Porto Rafti.
The inscription was extracted from the church and taken to the archeological service for examination. The archeologists found that it was the base of a statue that read, "In memory of Phrasikleia, I will forever be called Kore(daughter), since the gods gave me that name instead of marriage." The discovery of the inscription was the catalyst for the start of excavations in the area, which brought to light important archeological finds.
The two sculptures date back to 540 BC and were discovered in 1972. Excavator E. Kakavogiannis and Curator of Antiquities E. Mastrokostas unveiling the statues. Epigraphic Museum , Archive of Euth. Mastrokostas. From the book The great moments of Greek archeology, Kapon publications.
Four years later, in May 1972, the archeologist Efthymos Mastrokostas and his assistant Evangelos Kakavogiannis discovered at a depth of 200 meters, in a pit with a distance of 1.95 X 0.90 meters.
Both sculptures, made of Paros marble, are works of Aristion and date between 540 and 530 BC.
The 1.89 m tall Kouros has remnants of paint, leading archeologists to conclude that he was painted in bright colors on various parts of his body, such as his hair and neck. The daughter sculpture is 1.79 m tall without the base. Remains of pigment have been preserved, showing her once colorful appearance, while the jewelry she wears indicates a daughter from a wealthy family. The two statues are considered the finest examples of Archaic sculpture. Therefore, when the archeologists discovered them, the alarm was sounded. The head and the crew of the excavation were speechless when they found themselves in front of the two masterpieces.
Kouros of Merenda and daughter Frasiklia, as found on May 18, 1972. Epigraphic Museum , archives of Euth. Mastrokosta. From the book "Great Moments in Greek Archeology", KAPON publications.
It is estimated that Kouros and Kore were buried in 480 - 490 BC in ancient Myrrh - now Merenda - just before the Persian invasion.
It was a tactic the Athenians followed in times of war when they were forced to leave the city: they hid valuable objects so that the invaders would not destroy them and find them themselves if and when they returned. In fact, the two sculptures were saved from the destructiveness of the invaders who reached the Acropolis in 480 BC and slaughtered and burned everything in their path.
The sculptures were recovered in fairly good condition, but it is speculated that whoever buried them hastily lifted them from their place, accidentally breaking their limbs.
It is a tombstone with an inscription engraved on its base with the name of the dead Frasiklia and the name of the sculptor who created her, Aristion of Paris. Inscription(Translated): Memorial of Frasiklia, I will be called a Kore forever, since instead of marriage the gods gave me this name. Aristion Parios made me. Photo: "Journey to Ancient Greece'' (Manos I. Eleftheriou).
Merenda, where the sculptures were found, is a mountain in Attica between the settlements of Markopoulo Mesogaia, Kalivia Thorikou, Porto Rafti and Kouvara . Its name is a corruption of the name of the adjacent ancient Athenian municipality of Myrrinounta.
This statue is one of the finest examples of the Kore type of archaic sculpture. It is distinguished by its good state of preservation and its painted decoration, which is preserved in several places. Photo: "Journey to Ancient Greece" (Manos I. Eleftheriou)
Merenda Kouros and Kore Phrasikleia are on display at the National Archeological Museum exhibition.