2,500-year-old Graffiti Points to Existence of a Lost Ancient Greek Temple

The Debrief ^ | June 20, 2024 | MJ Banias

[SunkenCiv]

Researchers have uncovered unique graffiti on Barako Hill near Vari, Attica that may indicate there once stood a massive ancient Greek temple or structure on Athen's famous Acropolis that has since been lost to history.

According to a new study published in the American Journal of Archaeology, this ancient drawing, attributed to a shepherd named Mikon, depicts a building identified as "the Hekatompedon," a term historically associated with large temples...

The graffito (a term sometimes used to describe a singular piece of graffiti) was found among over 2,000 ancient engravings on marble outcrops in the hills north and east of Vari. These engravings, typically created by local herders, include simple drawings of animals, ships, and buildings, as well as short inscriptions. The particular graffito in question looks like a building facade, showing at least five columns, and is accompanied by an inscription identifying it as "the Hekatompedon."

The term "Hekatompedon" refers to a structure approximately 100 feet in length. In ancient Greek architecture, this term was often used to describe large temples. But, it also means something else...

According to the researchers, they believe that the graffito likely depicts an archaic temple on the Acropolis of Athens, possibly the so-called Bluebeard Temple or the Gigantomachy Temple... destroyed by the Persians in 480 BCE.

[SunkenCiv]

An image of Mikon's graffiti showing a possible ancient temple.

Image: Merle K. Langdon & Jan Z. Van Rookhuijzen, American Journal of Archaeology 2024

[SunkenCiv]

Thanks for the links!

[ComputerGuy]

Whatever you do, don’t look here.

[exnavy]

I have experienced the acropolis, we visited Athens in the summer of 1977. That is an amazing place.

[SunkenCiv]

Sounds great!