“Libagioni, che la terra beve”: un sacello per Demetra e Kore?

Abstract

“Libations that the earth drinks”: a sacellum for Demeter and Kore? - A return to an old excavation
at Centuripe reinforces the view that the extant remains are not those of a house but of a sacellum of
Demeter and Kore. The investigation was a collaboration between the then-Museo Civico of Centuripe and
the Soprintendenza per i Beni Culturali e Ambientali of Enna. The remains of three rooms were brought to
light. A modern dry-stone terrace wall had protected the surviving portion of the ancient structure, the walls
of which are preserved at some points to a maximum height of two meters, with very slight depth below
ground. A preliminary report was published; the excavated materials are located in the Museo Archeologico
Regionale of Centuripe. At first view the structure closely resembles a house, but pointing to identification
as a sacellum are a walled niche and features for sub-soil libations, as well as the presence of female terracotta
figures with torch and piglet.

Keywords: Centuripe, Enna, Demetra, Kore, terracotta figures, libations.