Just a few months after their discovery, the first finds from the SIRIS Project at Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin are already part of a public museum exhibition in Italy. Since December 2025, selected objects from the 2025 excavation campaign have been on display at the Museo Archeologico Nazionale della Siritide in Policoro – an exceptionally rapid transition from archaeological excavation to public museum display.
The finds on display come from a research and teaching excavation by the SIRIS Project, which is based at the Winckelmann Institute for Classical Archaeology at Humboldt-Universität. The international project, led by Dr Annarita Doronzio, is investigating the ancient city of Siris/Herakleia in southern Italy and combines cutting-edge archaeological research with university teaching, the promotion of young talent and active science communication.
Archaic votive deposit of exceptional significance
The exhibition centres on the so-called "Deposito Votivo Humboldt", an extraordinary votive complex from an archaic cult context dating from the 6th century BC, which was uncovered during the first excavation campaign from 21 July to 16 August 2025. The find comprises 16 almost completely preserved ceramic vessels and an exceptionally well-preserved terracotta statuette of a goddess, the type of which is unique in this state of preservation.
The finds document early religious practices in the area of ancient Siris/Herakleia and are associated with the archaic sanctuary of Demeter at a freshwater spring that is still active today. The excellent state of preservation and the high scientific significance of this deposit prompted the Italian partner museums to present the finds to the public just a few months after their discovery – a rare occurrence in archaeological research, as there are usually several years between excavation and exhibition.
Part of the travelling exhibition "Le dee del grano"
The objects on display are part of the travelling exhibition "Le dee del grano" (The Goddesses of Grain), which will be shown in several museums in Basilicata from 20 December 2025 to 7 June 2026. The exhibition is dedicated to the cult of the goddess Demeter in southern Italy and is organised by the Musei Nazionali della Basilicata (Italian Ministry of Culture).
Research, teaching and international cooperation
The SIRIS Project is being carried out in close cooperation with Italian partner institutions, including the Università degli Studi di Napoli Federico II and the CNR (Istituto di Metodologie per l'Analisi Ambientale). The first field campaign in 2025, with 16 participants – mainly students from Humboldt-Universität – was an important start to the project.
The students worked under real field conditions and used modern digital documentation methods such as GIS, 3D photogrammetry and digital terrain models. Open excavation days and guided tours for the local population promoted active knowledge transfer.
Outlook: Continuation of excavations in March
The next excavation campaign of the SIRIS Project will begin on 16 March in the Archaeological Park of Siris/Herakleia. Building on the results of the first campaign, investigations will continue in the area of the early Archaic fortifications and the sanctuary.