The attractive, modern Archaeological Museum in the old town of Madraki in Nisyros, has been opened since 2008. This museum, the entrance of which is free of charge, exhibits ancient Greek artifacts found in three different sites on the island.  The many priceless finds, mostly artifacts found in three construction sites on the island, are from ancient burial sites.  The many ceramic objects, are housed in glass vitrines on the ground floor, while stone carved architectural, funerary and religious monuments and icons  are housed on a lower level. A truly educational environment, both floors are well-documented with story-boards, and clear labels in both Greek and English. The fascinating aspect of the treasures displayed here is the story of a civilization and its lifestyle, these items weaving threads throughout the history of the island and its people. Poignant in the museum is the reverence demonstrated in honoring the dead over a period of centuries. Styles of burial changed over time, yet the care and attention to detail and the beautiful treasures buried along with the dead is also emblematic of these cultures’ celebration of life.  Some of the objects displayed in the museum tell the story of Anthesteria, the oldest known festival in honor of Dionysis, c. 5th century BC.  Held in the Spring, the festival is centered around wine, symbol of fertility and life after death. The festival honors the children who have reached the age of three, each given sweet meats and toys, as well as a small choi, a child-sized portion of wine measuring 1/10th of a liter. This age is significant because it symbolized the triumph of the child’s escaping the dangers of infant mortality. At this age, boys left the women’s quarters and began their studies with a tutor. The care exhibited in honoring the passing of loved ones is displayed in the communities’ burial of their dead.  Burial in large ceramic jars, children buried with toys, adults cremated or buried with plates of food, lamps to light the way, stirgils to clean the body, coins to pay the toll across the river to the other side, all carry meaning about the concept of life, death and the hereafter. Monuments in memory of the deceased were carved in marble, some reused later for another person. These everyday items seem so precious to us today, yet were the normal utilitarian tools of life c. 575 BC onward. Today, these artifacts are evocative of the intelligence of a people and the sophisticated culture that we cherish as the cradle of civilization that is Greece.

PHOTOS: Top Two: 1. A ceramic Dove c. 400-350 BC with white slip and traces of blue and red pigment.  Found in the Municipal Athletic Field on Nisyros, it was found in the grave of a girl. The dove, a symbol associated with Aphrodite, denotes love and fecundity. 2. Red figure Lekanis c. 325 BC.  On the lid is a fead with Erotus holding a mirror. This artifact was found in the Municipal Athletic Field on Nisyros.  Middle Two: 1. Red figure Skyphos. On each side are two wrapped youths, one holding a stirgil* and one holding a drum. 2.  Ionian Cup c. 575-550 BC. This artifact was found at the Municipal Athletic Field on Nisyros.  Bottom Two: 1. Pedestal of a three-sided monument c. 3rd century BC. The carving on the marble dekpicts seven figures in a funerary relief. Found at Ai Yannis on Nisyros. 2. Red figure Skphos, Attic type with Symposium scene, c. 425-400 BC.

1. *The stirgil is a hand-held tool, usually made of bronze during the Hellenic years of Greek history, was used to removed the oil rubbed on the body as a cleansing ritual.
   

JOURDAN ARPELLE-ZIEGLER                                        BACK TO MAP  PAGE