Anc. THOURIA - 2010

Ancient Thouria. X. Arapogianni (ASA/Director, ΛΗ’ ΕΠΚΑ) reports on the second season of excavation in 2010.

Building Γ, partially excavated in 2009, was exposed almost in its entirety (the southeast corner excepted) (Fig. 1). A rectangular structure (4.25 x 7.9m) oriented south-north, it had a doric column in each corner with engaged half-columns on the walls (two on the short walls and four on the long). The lower walls between the columns were built of orthostats, and the upper of unfired brick. The entrance was on the south side, with part of the ramp characteristic of Peloponnesian temples preserved. A thick wall divides the interior into a prodomos (2.4m deep) and a sekos: the threshold between them is partially preserved (Fig. 2). The floor was of fine pebbles laid over a cobbled layer: a pebble surface also surrounded the exterior of the building (Fig. 3).

In the inside northwest corner was a treasure-receptacle in situ (Fig. 4). This is a block 0.81m square with a rounded hollow in the centre (0.41m in diameter) around which is a sill to support a metal cover (as attested by two lead clamps on opposite sides, aligned northwest-southeast). The cover may have had a slot cut into it to allow coins to be added to the treasury. On the upper east face of the receptacle was an inscription of the late fourth to early third century BC, which likely serves to date the entire building.

Ἐπὶ ἱεροθυτᾶν ἐποιήθη Ἁγία,

Ἀρικλείδας, δαμιουργῶν Θίω-

νος, Ἀλκάνδρου, Καλλικράτης.

ἀρχιτέκτων Θεόδωρος

In 2009, two feet from a marble offering table were found in this same area. In sum, the evidence combines to indicate that the building is a temple and the work of the architect Theodoros.

When the building fell into disuse (in antiquity), a round cistern of tile and lime mortar was built in its southwest corner (external diameter 2.35m, interior 1.3m, depth 1.2m).