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A sanctuary of Demeter and Kore at ancient Olympia

Αρχαιολογικά χρονικά

• Λιάγκουρας, Χρήστος

During the course of work on the water- supply project for Erymanthos - Pyrgos, part of a wall of limestone, oriented north-east - south-west, was found 150 m. north of the ancient stadium. Subsequently, during the rescue excavation that followed, a building of shell-stone (building A), oriented west- east, and a Roman bath were found.The building is preserved at the foundation level. From the evidence so far, it appears that it may have been erected in the 5th c. BC. The finds and the building remains to date suggest that construction continued in the area down to the 2nd-3rd c. AD. The function of the column-drum of an “altar" at the center of room 1 remains unknown at present, as does that of the poros structure in the north-west corner of the room.Of the small finds, we may single out figurines of humans (mainly females) and animals (bovines and caprids). The double headed Kerberos with sacrificial cakes in its mouth is an outstanding find, as are the figurines of two daemons (sphinxes), one of which bears the incised inscription: [Δά]ματρι Κόρ[α] [Βα]σιλεί(To Demeter, To Kore, To the King) Examination mainly of the human and animal figurines allows the preliminary conclusion to be drawn that the site is in the wider area of a sanctuary connected with the cult of Demeter: indeed, according to the testimony of the travel-writer Pausanias, the sanctuary is probably to be identified as that of Demeter Chamyne.

• History and Archaeology

• Αρχαιολογία

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