Ruins Of Long-Lost Ancient City Of Tenea Built By Trojans Discovered

Conny Waters - AncientPages.com - The existence of the lost ancient city of Tenea has been a target of endless speculations and debates. Did the ancient city mentioned in Greek texts and myths really exist? Yes, it did, according to latest archaeological reports.

Founded by Trojans, were taken prisoner by Agamemnon, the Mycenaean king after the sacking of Troy, the city of Tenea survived the Roman destruction of neighboring Corinth in 146 B.C., and flourished under Roman rule.

An aerial view of the archaeological excavation site near the village of Chiliomodi, Greece, October 31, 2018. Picture taken October 31, 2018. Greek Culture Ministry

Some years ago, scientists found underwater ruins of Biblical city of Corinth. Many of the ancient underwater ruins were extremely well-preserved and among the monuments built of 5-ton blocks there are even remains of an ancient lighthouse which was depicted on coins from that time. Corinth was destroyed when an earthquake struck Lechaion.

The city of Tenea had more luck than Corinth and was never submerged.

In 1984, while excavating in Chiliomodi, a small village in southern Greece, archaeologists came across an ancient sarcophagus that later turned up to reveal something much significant was hiding not far away. Scientists felt this was the beginning of a great archaeological discovery and it was only a matter of time before they could locate the long-lost ancient city of Tenea.

“After I uncovered the sarcophagus, I knew I had to go back for more,” archaeologist Elena Korka told the New York Times.

Now Greece’s Ministry of Culture has announced archaeologists have discovered jewelry, stone and marble floors, 200 rare coins and remains of a housing settlement affirming the location of the ancient city of Tenea.

Artifacts and skeletons offer proof Tenea did exist. Credit: Greek Culture Ministry

The large number of discovered coins reveal the city was very wealthy. Gold, copper and bone jewelry found in ancient graves offer also proof people who lived here were rich.

See also:

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Skeleton Of Last Trojan Discovered – Ancient City Of Troy May Have Been A Religious Sanctuary – Archaeologists Say

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Did The Ancient Trojan Horse Really Exist?

“The citizens seem to have been remarkably affluent,” Korka said, adding that the city probably did well out of trade, standing on a key route between the major cities of Corinth and Argos in the northeastern Peloponnese.

Inside a tomb, archaeologists found for example a golden coin that had been placed there to pay for the journey to an afterlife and an iron ring with a seal that depicted the Greek god Serapis sitting on a throne, Cerberus, a three-headed mythical dog that guards the gates of Ades - beside him.

Until now, Tenea’s location was based mainly on historical references, but archaeologists are delighted to announce the ancient city did exist and scientists can learn more about its history.

This archaeological discovery has moved the ancient of Tenea from mythological realms to history books.

Written by – Conny Waters – AncientPages.com