The ancient mining site of “Limnian Earth” is located between the villages of Kotsinas and Repanidi, on the hill of Mosichlos at the site “Agiohoma” (holy soil). The site is characterized by a reddish clay substance with a high iron and sulfur content that was widely used until the early twentieth century.

First mentioned by Herodotus, the healing abilities of the “Limnian Earth” are mythologically connected with Hephaestus whose wounds were healed by them following his expulsion from Olympus. The story of the Pergamon doctor Galinos who visited Lemnos in 167 BC and purchased 20,000 “Limnian Earth” pills, is also fascinating.

During the Byzantine and Ottoman periods, the extraction and trade of important materials was strictly regulated, and this product was sold in sealed disk like shapes, thus the name “Terra Siggilata” (sealed earth). Furthermore, the word “Agiochoma” was commonly used during this time period since the mining of “Limnian Earth” was connected with the celebration of the Savior’s Transfiguration.