Archaeologists excavating the ancient site of Gradi\u0161te<\/strong> near Mlado Nagori\u010dane in North Macedonia have uncovered a rare Hellenistic ritual complex<\/strong> associated with a sacred precinct, shedding new light on elite religious practices and long-distance trade during the fourth and third centuries BC.<\/p>\n The discoveries were made this year on the Lower Terrace of the settlement, an area previously known for rock-cut structures, tumulus-like constructions and ritual deposits dating to the fourth century BC.<\/p>\n East of a previously identified tumulus, excavators found the remains of a building containing large quantities of broken pithoi and storage vessels. One of the most important discoveries was a pithos decorated with finger-ring impressions showing a female deity \u2014 believed to be Demeter<\/strong> \u2014 holding a cornucopia and pouring a libation from a kantharos over a tripod.<\/p>\n Further south, archaeologists exposed part of a peribolos wall that likely separated the sacred area from the rest of the settlement. Adjacent to the wall, they uncovered a small room interpreted as a space for ritual dining or symposium-style feasting.<\/p>\n Inside the room, researchers recovered large quantities of animal bones (including wild boar and goat), imported Hellenistic tableware such as West Slope gutti, decorated kantharoi and black-glazed echinus bowls, as well as amphora fragments, lamps and terracotta figurines.<\/p>\n Among the most remarkable finds were the base of a built dining table and ornate decorative elements from a ceremonial dining couch (kline). These include a moulded couch leg and an appliqu\u00e9 depicting a reclining deity holding a phiale.<\/p>\n Similar high-quality kline ornaments have previously been found only in wealthy Hellenistic burials at Pella and the royal tombs at Aigai, pointing to elite artistic and cultural connections.<\/p>\n \u201cThe room was most likely associated with rituals performed within the temenos and appears to have been used for ritual dining,\u201d the excavation team said, noting parallels with the Sanctuary of Demeter and Persephone at ancient Corinth.<\/p>\n The discoveries highlight the prosperity of the Gradi\u0161te settlement and its integration into the wider networks of the ancient Macedonian kingdom.<\/p>\n Future work will focus on expanding the newly identified buildings and determining whether a temple once stood within this part of the sanctuary.<\/p>\n The excavations are conducted by the National Institution Museum of Kumanovo under the direction of archaeologist Dejan Gjorgjievski and funded by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism of the Republic of North Macedonia.<\/p>\n![\"Rare](\"https:\/\/greekcitytimes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/dine2-1024x683.webp)
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