Current excavations are focused on two sanctuaries at Idalion. The Hellenistic period of the Sanctuary of Adonis had been excavated during the 1990’s. This season we will be opening trenches to investigate the earlier phases of use of this important “sacred grove.” There are multiple indicators that the cult of Adonis at Idalion was closely related to the first millennium BCE religion of ancient Israel.

The second major religious center under investigation during the 2009 season is the “Temple of the Paired Deities.” Since 2002 we have been digging in a remarkable religious structure that has revealed a series of stone-built altars with ash pits much like those at Arad and Dan in Israel. In addition, an astounding pair of standing stones in situ was found, closely related to those found at Arad (Near Eastern Archaeology vol. 71 nos. 1-2, pp. 52-62). These standing stones, together with a series of limestone figures (both female and male) have lent the sanctuary its working name. During the 2009 season we plan to find the limits of the huge temple complex as well as its entrance(s).