Himera Archaeological Area and Antiquarium

The necropolis of Himera the largest in Europe

The necropolis of Himera (Palermo) reveals about 12,000 Pre-Roman tombs with skeletons of soldiers and civilians, as well as temples which date back to the VI and V century B.C. Some of the remains have been transferred to the nearby Antiquarium Museum, where an Archaeological Park may be founded. After residing for several years abroad, the Phiale Aurea of Caltavuturo has been displayed at the Antiquarium Museum.The Phiale's shape – phiale mesomphalos in Greek, better known in Latin as patera umbilicata - connects this item with an object belonging to the religious sphere which functioned as a cup for the votive offering; if that is the case, it could have been part of the sanctuary's treasure. It is characterised by a central omphalos (navel), and decorated with printed or engraved motifs that cover its entire surface and are distributed into four concentric lines: that is, acorns, bees and beech nuts that are connected with each other through lines, knots and beads. A refined plant motif with clusters, leaves and vine shoots occupies the inside area. The external border carries the inscription, in Greek, which according to one interpretation would represent the name of the dedicator Damarco, son of Achryrio, as well as an indication of the cup's weight. The Phiale can be dated in between the second half of the IV and the first half of the III century B.C.


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