Biscuits of the Virgin: a rock-cut shrine in the eastern periphery of Pharsalus

Abstract

This paper focuses on a largely obscure rupestrian shrine in the eastern periphery of Pharsalus, Thessaly, in a locality known to the residents as Ai Thanasis or Agios Athanasios. First identified in the early 20th century, the Ai Thanasis shrine has never received much attention from scholars except for a few references to its distinctive rock-cuttings, a series of enigmatic dome-like shapes hewn into the exposed limestone of the area. In our study we provide a comprehensive assessment of this hitherto little-known site, correcting some current misconceptions as to its place in Pharsalian topography and offering a detailed overview of its intriguing sculptures.