Gortsouli temple (Arkadia) Mantineia - Γκορτσούλι
Gortsouli temple, archaic temple? foundations atop Gortsouli hill N of Mantineia, Arkadia
Works:
Latitude: 37.632850
Longitude: 22.391880
Confidence: High
Time period: AC
Region: Peloponnese
Country: Greece
Department: Arkadia
Mod: Mantineia
In general, the two buildings present many similarities: they both belong to the category of archaic ?residences? and are distinguished by the significant prolongation of the axis oriented from north to south. In both cases, the entrances are located at the south side, which is a narrow one. The earlier temple is divided, as well as the later temple, into a prodomos (anteroom), a cella building (in Greek sekos) and an adyton (enclosed sanctuary, not accessible to all), with internal dimensions of 14.60 x 4.65m. The foundations of the earlier temple were used to erect the posterior temple, with internal dimensions of 14.25 x 4.70m. The inferior parts of both buildings were made with layers of unrefined local lime slabs without any conjunctive material, while the superstructure was probably earthen. Some parts of the walls of the posterior temple are preserved up to 0.80m of height.
On the interior of the temple were discovered votive offerings of significance. The most precious group of offerings includes earthen figurines representing exclusively feminine figures, in an impressive variety of types. They are dated between the seventh and the early fifth century BC and point to the cult of the goddess Artemis in that location, in her quality of protector of vegetation and breeder of sheep herds. Among the figurines one distinguishes imposing veil-bearers of significant height; it is the first time that such a type of figurines occurs in the sanctuary lying on the western slope. Also noteworthy among the excavation findings is an ensemble of iron pins, unparalleled in volume and state of preservation, recalling as to the typology the bronze pins that were also found in abundance within the temple. Several characteristic examples of the aforementioned votive offerings are today exposed in the Archaeological Museum of Tripolis.
The temple was uncovered during a rescue excavation, conducted in 1962 by the then Curator of Antiquities at the Fifth Ephorate for Prehistoric and Classical Antiquities, Theodora Karagiorga, complemented by a more systematic investigation conducted by the same person between 1989 and 1990. An additional excavation on top of the hill will add more light to the early history of Ptolis, which was founded by Mantineas, the mythical grandson of Pelasgos, the first parent of Arcadians. (Anna-Vasiliki Karapanagiotou, archaeologist, Odysseus.Culture.gr)
Wikidata ID: Q38282230
Trismegistos Geo: 15750
Info: Odysseus
![](https://topostext.org/images/arrow-big.png)
(Odysseus, Greek Ministry of Culture)
Author, Title | Text | Type | Date | Full | Category | Language |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Author, Title | Text | Type | Date | Full | Category | Language |