Then (1978), The Road to Eleusis
The Eleusis Site Today
Wasson, Hofmann, and Ruck wrote when the Eleusis archaeological site was partially excavated and surrounded by industrial development. No chemical analysis of vessel residues had been attempted.
contested
The site of ancient Eleusis is now a UNESCO-monitored archaeological zone. The adjacent cement factory and oil refinery continue to operate. A major excavation program began in 2015 under the Hellenic Ministry of Culture, and as of 2026, chemical residue analysis of excavated vessel fragments is actively under discussion. The 2026 Scientific Reports paper explicitly calls for such analysis. The Eleusis Cultural Capital 2023 initiative, EU funding for cultural rehabilitation of the site, has increased international attention. No ergot residue from the Eleusis Telesterion has yet been confirmed.
Sources
- Hellenic Ministry of Culture, Eleusis Excavation Reports (2015-2023)
- Antonopoulos et al., Scientific Reports (2026)
- Eleusis 2023 European Capital of Culture