The systematic excavations by the Ephorate of Antiquities of Cyclades at the site of the ancient sculpture workshop at the site “Floga” in Parikia, Paros, have been completed for this season, according to the Greek Ministry of Culture.

Directed by Dr. Sofia Detoratou, this season’s excavation focused on the ancient sculpture workshop located at “Floga”. Excavations at the site first began in the mid-1980s, when three building units were brought to light. Marble chippings found scattered around the area, along with a significant number of unfinished marble sculptures, provided the first strong evidence for the existence of a sculpture workshop operating at Floga during the Hellenistic period.

Excavations resumed in 2008 and took on a systematic character in 2013. These more recent investigations have uncovered new architectural remains, some of which were built on top of earlier structures, indicating the long-term use of the site. The earlier phases of occupation date from the late 5th to the 4th century BC. Movable finds from this earlier phase — including fragments of tableware used for eating and drinking, and fewer utilitarian or storage vessels — confirm residential use of the site during the Classical period.

Recent excavation data suggest a major reorganization of the space in the late 3rd to early 2nd century BC. The internal layout of the revealed buildings confirms that residential use of the area continued during the Hellenistic period. The discovery of a room with a pebble floor and sections of wall painting imitating marble cladding — identified as an andron — further supports this interpretation. However, the extensive layer of marble debris deposited in the courtyard, which covers the earlier construction phases, and the large number of unfinished sculptures, attest to the additional use of the area as a sculpture workshop. Discarded materials and finds within them, such as clay molds and seals, pigments, whorl-shells, and metal slags, confirm that workshop activities continued later on in the broader area.

This season’s excavations uncovered additional rooms within the architectural complex, with walls preserved to an impressive height. Particularly noteworthy among the movable finds are unfinished marble sculptures — primarily of Aphrodite — clay heads of female figures, as well as clay molds and seals. A very large quantity of pottery was also collected.