25-35

Vergina 1989 : the sanctuary of Eukleia

• Σαατσόγλου-Παλιαδέλη, Χρυσούλα

The investigation of this particular section of the archaeological site at Vergina started in 1982 and since then it has yielded important material evidence referring to various aspects of the Macedonian society. At first, the discovery of an inscribed base which Eurydice, daughter of Sirrasdedicated to Eukleia, enabled the identification of the site with the Sanctuary of apanhellenic goddess; this goddess is attested to be worshipped in the agoras of ancient Greek cities and now proved to be a member of the Macedonian pantheon, as well. The dedicator is undoubtedly identified with Amyntas I-II’s wife, thus offering the second epigraphical attestation of Philip II’s mother; I have already suggested elsewhere that, as in other Greek cities, the Sanctuary of Eukleia at Vergina probably belongs to the Agora of ancient Aegae. Although the monuments are badly damaged due to the continuous use, and the remains are to the height of foundation, a small temple, three marble dedicatory base of the 4th century B.C. and an oblong limestone foundation have been discovered so far at the eastern part of the section. A badly damaged peristyle, partly covered by the modern road leading to the palace, occupies its western part. This year’s campaign was dedicated to the investigation of the central part between the two sections mentioned above. The results can be summarized to the following: a. A long wall running from west to east and bordering the whole site from the south can be now interpreted as a retaining construction, marking the bounds between two of the terraces on which the ancient city was extended. The Sanctuary lies on the northern one. b. A stoa, facing east, was revealed west from the small temple: it consists of three rooms to the west and a portico in antis, to the east. The lower parts of its doriclime stone columns are still standing «in situ». c. Another temple facing to the east was also revealed this year. It consists of two rooms and it is preserved to the height of its foundation. The new discovery suggests that the limestone structure, east from the new temple, must be interpreted as the foundation of an altar, since both monuments have an obvious axial relation. d. Some badly damaged marble architectural members, among the objects found during the excavation of the new temple, reflect the extended destruction of the site: among them part of an ionic anta-capital, small pieces of mouldings and an inscribed piece of marble should be mentioned. Certain problems of chronology are still open to investigation; yet, it is obvious that the Sanctuary of Eukleia at Vergina was used at least since the 4th century B.C. and survived until the Roman period.

• History and Archaeology

• Ανασκαφές (Αρχαιολογία)

Βεργίνα, συνέδρια

Περιέχει σχέδια και εικόνες, Αφιερωμένο στη μνήμη του Γιάννη Μαλαπάνη