KALAPODI - 2007

Kalapodi. W.-D. Niemeier (Director, DAI) reports on the 4th season of renewed excavation in the sanctuary at Kalapodi. The identification with the oracular Sanctuary of Apollo of Abai, noted in 2006 (AR 53 [2006−2007], 41) is supported by a new inscription discovered in 2007. Cleaning of the walls of the Church of the Dormition of the Virgin, W of the village, revealed a fragment of a statue base with a dedication by the polis of Abai to the emperor Constantine. This provides further evidence that Abai was located in the valley of Kalapodi and not in the Exarchos valley further S, as commonly believed since 1819 (Sir William Gell).

Excavation continued to concentrate on the M−LAr S temple and its predecessors (Fig. 1). Further impressive remains of the Persian destruction were uncovered W of the W pteron, on and near the ramp found in 2006, covered by later layers of rubble which contained architectural fragments of the Cl N temple. The destruction is attested by a deposit of fallen roof tiles, charred wooden beams and burnt mud-brick. Fragments of Cor helmets indicate that these were suspended from the temple together with the chariot wheels discovered in recent years (see AR 51 [2004−2005], 55−56; AR 52 [2005−2006], 68; AR 53 [2006−2007], 41−42). Large flat limestone slabs probably belonged to the back wall of the W pediment, which appears to have fallen westwards during the destruction. Excavation of the W end of the LGeo−EAr S temple revealed it to be apsidal. Among and underneath the fallen mud-bricks of the apse were charred wooden beams and iron lance points (the latter placed as votives in the temple). After the final destruction − as elsewhere on the site − further votives had been placed on the rubble of the apse, namely another iron lance point and a bronze garment pin.

In 2005, a Geo altar of fieldstones was excavated under the E pteron of the LAr S temple (see AR 52 [2005−2006], 68, fig. 105). This suggested that an associated Geo temple was located further W, under the cella of the LAr temple. The discovery of this Geo temple was therefore no surprise, but the rich associated finds were unexpected. This was a temple in antis, ca. 4m w., built of mud-brick on stone foundations. Only its E end and entrance could be uncovered, as most of it is overlain by the simple open structure of Cl date that was constructed in the former Ar cella, now transformed into an open courtyard. An application has been submitted to the Central Archaeological Council for removal of that structure to allow further study of the Geo temple and the earlier phases in the centre of the sanctuary.

The Geo temple was given up in ca. 740/730 BC for the building of the larger successor. Before the floor of the Geo temple was sealed with vertically set mud-bricks, votives were deposited on it (Fig. 2): an 80cm iron sword of the Naue II type, an iron obelos and numerous bronze objects, pins, fibulae, bracelets, finger rings, pendants in the shapes of birds and of a ram, a masterpiece of Geo miniature art (Fig. 3), and also necklaces of faience beads. These votives had been burnt in an offering fire which caused the explosion of the liquid, most probably olive oil, in a handmade amphora standing next to the sword. Whereas the sword and the obelos are male votives, the ornaments are female votives. Parallels come from rich female burials in the area.

The excavation of Myc strata near the NE corner of the LAr S temple (see AR 53 [2006−2007], 42−43) was continued to a d. of 1m, down to natural soil. The LH IIIC layers contained rich ceramic finds, but also votives such as stone pendants, sea shells and the claw of a bird of prey, a flat bead of blue glass with the depiction of a sphinx and an amulet of green stone in the shape of a frog, which is most interestingly of ENeo date (compare R.J. Rodden, Antiquity 38 [1964], 294−95, pl. 54 right) (Fig. 4).

The lowest LH IIIC layer contained a destruction horizon with fallen burnt mud-brick and shattered pithoi which had once contained grains and pulses. This layer also yielded fragments of 2 quernstones. These finds indicate a building used to store supplies for ritual meals and then to prepare them. Its remains are probably located immediately to the N, underneath the massive foundations of the S pteron of the Cl N temple. The layer below, directly above the natural soil, revealed earlier Myc finds of the LH IIIA and IIB phases, such as fragments of pottery and terracotta figurines, including a mounted figure, indicating that the sanctuary’s origins go at least as far back as the palatial Myc period.