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Corinth Publication: Flognfeldt, Sanctuaries and votive offerings ... 2010 | Collection: | | Corinth | | Name: | | Flognfeldt, Sanctuaries and votive offerings ... 2010 | | Title: | | Sanctuaries and votive offerings from The Early Iron Age in Greece - A comparative study of votive offerings from the eastern Peloponnese | | Author: | | Flognfeldt, Yngve Thomassen | | Month: | | May | | Date: | | 2010 | | Abstract: | | Many of the important sanctuaries of ancient Greece were established during the Early Iron Age (EIA), that is, between 1050 and 700 BC. The first aim of this study is to better understand the cult practices at the sanctuaries of Poseidon at Isthmia, Athena Alea at Tegea, and the Argive Heraion in the EIA, and their development from their founding to the end of the eighth century. I have sought to accomplish this by examining the votive offerings found at these three sites. By comparing the votive offerings from the three chosen sanctuaries, as well as other important sanctuaries, it is possible to draw certain conclusions regarding their function and symbols. The earliest phase of cult practice at Tegea and Ishtmia is illustrated by the presence of open vessel votives from the PG period onwards. Found together with burned animal bones, these dedications suggest that drinking and dining rituals took place at these sanctuaries. Moreover, their strategic positioning along important routes of communication, indicate they might have functioned as important meeting places between neighboring communities. In addition to open vessels, new categories of votives were introduced from the LPG period onward. These consist of figurines, other types of ceramics, and jewelry. The jewelry especially indicates that a new group of participants, presumably females, were now participating in rituals at the sites. During the eighth century another range of new types of votives can be seen in the sanctuaries, namely bronze tripod cauldrons and bronze horses. There is also an increase in the dedication of jewelry. These changes are likely linked to social and cultural changes occurring at this time related to the establishment of city states, and the rise of the aristocratic class. Furthermore, Mycenaean iconography was also reintroduced in other sorts of votives, especially pendants bearing the shape of pomegranates and double-axes, which were common symbols in Mycenaean and Minoan cults. This is perhaps an indication of a revival in respect for the ancestors, perhaps spread by popularity of the Homeric Poems, who are believed to have been written down at this time. | | URL: | | https://bora.uib.no/handle/1956/4129 |
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