In October 2025, the systematic excavation of ancient Tenea was completed. An extensive complex in use from the Archaic to the Roman period was uncovered around the Funerary Monument III (Fig. 1).

The epicenter of the complex in the Archaic period is the rectangular underground building, around which an extensive paved plateau is located, defined to the north by an ancient street with a retaining wall and functional spaces along it, and to the south by a building with individual interior spaces (Fig. 2).

In the late Hellenistic period, the building was transformed into a covered ceremonial pool associated with healing ceremonies, and to its east, a space was formed to support its operation. The architectural elements that were identified testify to the existence of an elaborate building in the area, with a related function to the whole. A silver stater, minted in Corinth (549-510 BC) (Fig.4) was recovered from the cistern area, along with votive clay figurines of fingers (Fig.3), a hand (Fig.3), a lower limb and a votive clay mask (Fig.3), probably of Harpocrates – Horus the Child.

From the above findings in combination with those identified in 2024 such as clay votive human limbs, metal tools for preparing medicines and a quantity of arsenic poison, it now becomes clear that the area is associated with mystical healing rituals. The cistern was the basic element of healing that was achieved through the process of purification and falling asleep near the water. The votive effigy of Harpocrates, together with findings from earlier excavation periods, such as the gold ring with a sealstone depicting Apollo the Physician, the clay relief tile of a rooster, the acrokeramas, the iron ring and the lamp with representations of Sarapis, as well as the golden lotus leaves associated with Harpocrates, and finally the multitude of zooarchaeological material from animals used in mysterious ceremonies, greatly reinforce the above view. The presence of Sarapis and Harpocrates proves that Tenea is in line with the cultural and religious syncretism that emerged from Egypt and acquired an ecumenical character in the years of the Ptolemies.

The archaic underground building with the platform was probably the original place where the sacramental ceremonies were performed, while the retaining wall with the road prove that already in the archaic era the sacred place of worship had been delimited within the boundaries of the city’s cemeteries. Probably shortly after the construction of the cistern, TMIII was founded in the 1st century BC, while the early structures in the area continued to be preserved and used.

The image of the area changed drastically at the beginning of the 3rd century AD, probably due to the urban restructuring of the Roman city. The area of ​​the sanctuary was transformed into an extensive cemetery that was used until the 5th century AD. A total of twenty-three (23) graves were excavated, richly endowed with coins (Fig.4), gold and bronze jewelry (Fig.5), glass beads (Fig.5) and glass perfume bottles (Fig.5), clay pots (Fig.6), lamps (Fig.7) etc. Finally, within the residential fabric of the city, new residential structures from Roman and late Roman times were identified (Fig.8).

The Ancient Tenea program is carried out by the implementing body of the DI.PKA. under the direction of Dr. E. Korka and responsible for Ms. P. Evangeloglou, archaeologist of the EFA of Corinth. It is supported by an interdisciplinary team headed by Dr. K. Lagos, numismatic expert, Dr. Chr. Papageorgopoulou anthropologist, Dr. D. Bartzis architect-engineer, archaeologists P. Panailidis, M. Ioannou, E. Avgerou, A. Koutoulas, A. Kamargiannis, P. Vlachos, and E. Kapouralou, topographer Z. Korolis, conservators F. Kousiaki and A. Petridou and photographer F. Pallikaras.

We would like to thank the Region of Peloponnese, the Municipality of Corinth and the company METLEN for their generous assistance. Also, the associations “Friends of Ancient Tenea” and “Teneatisses”, the owners of the plots A. and G. Skourtis, A. and G. Bitzio, Messrs. L. De Chaves, Br. Athanasios – Drakos, A. Kazamias and especially Mrs. Maria Manousaki, who, continuing the wish of the late and late M. Manousakis, hosted the excavation team. Finally, we thank the DI.P.K.A., the EFA of Corinth, the EFA of the City of Athens as well as the Numismatic Museum for their support.