205-215

The sanctuary of Demeter at Dion : excavation of 1990

• Πινγιάτογλου, Σεμέλη

In 1990 the excavation of the sanctuary of Demeter proceeded east from the two Hellenistic temples; the aim was to define the bounds of the precinct to this direction and its relation to the sanctuary of Isis. Two altars built of stones were discovered: 1) a larger one east from the southern temple with a variation from its orientation. Its plan is rectangular and except for the western, the rest of the walls are equipped with an eccentric projection. During its long use, it went through many repairs. 2) a smaller rectangular altar east from the northern temple with the same orientation. The investigation was also carried out in the building with the wells, south from the southern Hellenistic temple. Based on the excavational data, three main phases were investigated: 1) an early Classical, a layer suggested by the two circular pits with clay coating, 2) a Hellenistic with floor implied by the threshold of the building and the stone mouth of the square well and 3) a late one, after the well and the construction of a vertical wall in the interior of the building were not used. The finds from the filling of the shafts do not suggest a use as «megara». They were probably shafts receiving the liquids offered to the chthonic deities by the pilgrims. On the other hand the great quantity of offerings suggests that people placed also their gifts to the goddess in this rectangular area. These were mainly terracotta female figurines with offerings, deities and hydria-carriers dated to the first and second phase of the area.

• History and Archaeology

• Ανασκαφές (Αρχαιολογία)

Δίον, Πιερία, συνέδρια

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