Posted on 12/08/2005 1:10:58 PM PST by blam
Phokaia excavations reveal mystery of Athena
Thursday, December 8, 2005
Griffins thought to be guarding the ancient Temple of Athena might become the symbol of Foça along with Mediterranean seals, says archaeologist Özyiðit
ÝZMÝR - Turkish Daily News
Sculptures of horses and griffins as old as 2,600 years were discovered during excavations at the Temple of Athena located at the ancient city of Phokaia, which is today within the borders of Ýzmir's Foça district.
The finds reveal that the sculptures were used as main decorative items for terraces at the ancient city, the goddess of which was Athena, and that horses and griffins were the sacred animals of the goddess.
The sculptures were unveiled in front of the podium wall of the temple.
Griffins are mythological animals that have the head and wings of an eagle and the body, hind legs and the tail of a lion.
Head of the excavation team Professor Ömer Özyiðit, told the Anatolia news agency that during this year's excavations the team for the first time unearthed a vast number of carvings that give an idea about the era in which the temple was constructed.
Özyiðit said that although Anatolia was home to leading cultures and civilizations during the Neolithic ages, Mesopotamia later took over this boast. Özyiðit said it was not until the end of the seventh century and the beginning of the sixth centuries B.C. that Anatolia regained its leading position in culture with the help of the Ionians.
“Phokaia was the largest city of the Ionians. They crossed the Mediterranean and reached the Atlantic Ocean. They established tens of colonies throughout Spain, Italy and France. And when they became the leading civilization in world cultures, they became the founder of today's Western civilization. Our excavations are mainly focusing on this particular period,” said Özyiðit.
Özyiðit, referring to the griffin and horse sculptures that were discovered during the excavations, said: “These are matchless sculptures. The horse is one of the symbols of the goddess Athena. Because Athena is both the trainer and the master of horses.”
He added that the griffins that surrounded the temple served as guards for the building as well as being decorative sculptures. Özyiðit said depictions of griffins were seen in the later examples of coins of the ancient Phokaia.
5,500 years old:
According to Özyiðit, griffins may become the symbol of the Aegean resort of Foça along with Mediterranean seals. Özyiðit said these finds were very significant since they helped the excavation team discover information on the culture of 2,600 years ago. “We believe there are plenty of these sculptures yet to be discovered in this region because we have determined that Phokaia dates back 5,500 years.
Sculptures are not the only items unveiled in the excavations in the region. Özyiðit said they also unearthed numerous oval-shaped dwellings along with what they think is the oldest iron workshop in the world.
Among the buildings unearthed is also another temple that is oval-shaped like the dwellings. Özyiðit said they believe more important discoveries will be made during next year's excavations.
He added, however, that the town needed a museum to display all the ancient pieces unearthed.
The first excavations in Foça were launched in 1913 by French archaeologist Felix Sartiaux. During this first phase, which lasted until 1920, a map of ancient Phokaia at a scale of 1/5000 was also drawn.
Later, Professor Ekrem Akurgal led the excavations between 1952-1974, during which the focus was the Temple of Athena. In this period, the discovered items revealed the settlement plan of Phokaia during the sixth-seventh centuries.
During the last phase of excavations that have been ongoing since 1989 under the supervision of Professor Özyiðit, several structures were unearthed, including ceramics workshops, an ancient theater, old walls, the open-air Temple of Cybele and mosaics from the Roman era along with numerous tombs and dwellings.
According to information available on the Culture and Tourism Ministry Web site, the first natives of ancient Phokaia, which has been replaced by today's Old Foça, are believed to have been immigrants who came from the environs of Phokis in Greece.
Phokaia, which had two seaports, had become one of the most important port cities of ancient periods. The city lost its strength during the Persian rule in western Anatolia and could only join the lonian revolt in 500-494 B.C. with three ships.
Afterwards, the city maintained its free status, however, the damage that the Persians caused was so great that Phokaia never regained its original magnificence.
GGG Ping.
Where the Phokaia?
I was under the impression that according to the legend, when Poseidon and Athena were bidding to be chosen as the patron god or goddess of Athens, Poseidon offered to give them the horse and Athena offered them the olive tree. They preferred Athena for that reason.
Of course, anyone who has seen the Elgin marbles recognizes that sculpture as being similar in spirit. The horse was the symbol of aristocracy or knighthood or arete, which it has been every since.
"... the damage that the Persians caused was so great that Phokaia never regained its original magnificence." Those Iranians are a horrid lot, even so long ago!
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So now we know why you're *really* interested in this stuff :-)
Your impression is correct.
Phokaia ping!
Ping
Pallas Athena was the symbol of the Women's Army Corps due to Athena's legendary status as the goddess of war. I polished many a brass with Athena's image...brings back memories of basic training in Anniston AL (don't ask me the year, I'm really dating myself here!)
Good for another bump.
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