The remains of the archaic temple of Athena have been discovered on the acropolis of Velia. The archaeologists of the Archaeological Park of Paestum and Velia have brought to light, during the excavation campaign that has just ended, the remains of walls made with unfired bricks, plastered and based on baseboards in polygonal juxtaposed blocks, a technique also used for the houses of archaic age found along the slopes of the acropolis.
On the Acropolis of Velia, the remains of the oldest archaic temple dedicated to Athena have been found ️ with painted ceramics, weapons and armor dating back to the early stages of the city’s life
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These testimonies draw a rectangular building at least 18 meters long and 7 wide. The internal portion of the structure is paved with a beaten earth floor and tiles, on which, in a collapsed position, elements of the elevation, painted ceramics, vases were found. with inscriptions “IRE”, or “sacred”, and numerous metal fragments pertaining to weapons and armor, including two helmets, one Chalcidian and another of the Negau type, in excellent condition.
The results of the research allow to shed light on the oldest and most incomplete phases of life of the city, founded around 540 BC. by the Focei settlers from Asia Minor.
“The archaeological finds at the Acropolis of Elea-Velia suggest a sacred destination of the structure” – declares Massimo Osanna, Director General of the Museums and Director Avocante of the Archaeological Park of Paestum and Velia.
“In all probability – continues Osanna – the relics offered to the goddess Athena after the battle of Alalia, the naval battle that saw the Greek refugees of Phocaea and a coalition of Carthaginians and Etruscans, between 541 and 535, were kept in this environment. About BC, off the Tyrrhenian Sea, between Corsica and Sardinia Freed from the earth only a few days ago – says Osanna – the two helmets still have to be cleaned in the laboratory and studied.
Inside them – Osanna hypothesizes – there could be inscriptions, which is quite frequent in ancient armor, and these could help to accurately reconstruct their history, who knows maybe even the identity of the warriors who wore them. Certainly these are first considerations – adds Osanna – which thus already clarify many unpublished details of that Eleatic history that took place more than 2500 years ago “.
The excavations have also clarified the chronology of the main temple of the city dedicated to the goddess Athena. The construction of the main temple, at least of its first phase, must be placed chronologically after the sacred structure brought to light in recent months. Later, in the Hellenistic age, the entire complex will receive a complete rearrangement with the construction of a monumental stoa that will surround the main temple and the plan of use will rise to cover all the previous phases.
“The structure of the oldest temple dates back to 540-530 BC, or rather the years immediately following the battle of Alalia – points out Osanna – while the most recent temple, which was believed to be of the Hellenistic period, dates back to 480-450. BC, to then undergo a restructuring in the fourth century BC. It is therefore possible that the Focei fleeing from Alalia – supposes Osanna – raised it immediately after their arrival, as was their custom, after purchasing from the inhabitants of the place the land necessary to settle and resume the flourishing businesses for which they were famous. And to the relics to offer to their goddess to propitiate her benevolence – concludes Osanna – they added the weapons snatched from the enemies in that epic battle at sea that in fact it had changed the balance of power in the Mediterranean “.
In consideration of the important results of the new researches, new investigations will be planned by the Park to reconstruct the history of the Greek colony.