OLYMPIA Sanctuary of Zeus - 2008

Olympia. R. Senff (DAI) reports on the 2008 excavation season S of the stadium, where undisturbed anc. strata containing refuse from sacrifices and broken votives were encountered. So far, excavation has reached 4thCt BC levels. Examination of the tower E of the Leonidaion (Fig. 1) produced a coin of Maximinus Thrax (AD 235−238) (Fig. 2) in its inner rubble fill: this is the first secure tpq for the fortification of the sanctuary’s central area.
Geophysical survey conducted in collaboration with the Ζ' ΕΠΚΑ (reported in 2007) revealed several parallel linear anomalies E of the stadium (Fig. 3). According to the location implied in anc. sources, they may belong to the hippodrome. Work was hampered by the subdivision of the area into small plots, thus producing only disconnected results. Further studies are planned for 2009.
A new detailed architectural record of the Temple of Zeus proceeded.
X-ray examination of over 100 of the site’s most important bronze artefacts provided important information about anc. metalworking techniques.