Cyrene— The Antiquities Authority announced the commencement of restorations work at an archaeological site of the Temple of Demeter in the city of Cyrene in eastern Libya, damaged by Hurricane Daniel in September 2023.
This work includes the restoration of massive stone blocks from the gate of the Sanctuary of Demeter at the entrance to Wadi Balgdir. It also includes excavation work in the area south of the temple, according to a statement by the Antiquities Authority.
The scientific archaeological mission of the University of Urbino in Italy, in cooperation with the Cyrene Antiquities Authority, is carrying out the work, which is supervised by Dr. Ahmed Issa Farag and Cyrene Antiquities official Adel Boufajra.
The Temple of Demeter and Persephone was built by the Greeks in 630 BC as a religious temple. In Greek mythology, Demeter is the goddess of harvest, agriculture, and fertility.
On September 11, 2023, Hurricane Daniel swept through eastern Libya, causing one of the worst natural disasters the country has witnessed in its modern history. The tragedy was centered in the city of Derna, where two major dams collapsed, unleashing torrential floods that swept away entire neighborhoods. Within hours, the waters submerged vast residential areas, sweeping away thousands of homes and infrastructure, and leaving tens of thousands dead or missing, most of them residents of the city.
The repercussions of the disaster did not stop at Derna. Extensive damage was recorded in other areas of the Green Mountain, including the city of Susa, which was completely submerged, and the city of Shahat, whose archaeological sites were severely damaged. The agricultural sector also suffered heavy losses, with many livestock killed.
The “Demeter temple” in Libya refers to the Sanctuary of Demeter and Persephone at ancient Cyrene. This major religious site is divided into an intraurban and a more prominent extramural sanctuary, both dedicated to the Greek goddesses of agriculture.
The Demeter sanctuary complex features temples, altars, and a theater and is a significant part of the Cyrene archaeological site, which is a UNESCO World Heritage site.
The intraurban sanctuary and the more prominent extramural sanctuary are located on a coastal plateau outside the city walls of ancient Cyrene (modern-day Shahhat). They were a major center of religious activity for the Greek colonists who founded Cyrene in the 7th century BC.
The sanctuary held a large amount of votive offerings, including pottery, lamps, coins, and sculpture, providing valuable insights into the religious practices of the time.
Excavations began in the late 1960s and continued into the 1980s, revealing the extensive nature of the sanctuary. The World Monuments Fund (WMF) has been involved in conservation activities to protect the site from the effects of environmental factors and nearby development.
