Two Ancient Greek Doric temples were unearthed in Paestum, southern Italy. The temples were part of the Magna Graecia (Great Greece), the thriving group of ancient Greek cities of southern Italy dating back from the 8th century BC.
One of the major cities of Magna Graecia was the location of the temples unearthed. The ancient city of Poseidonia-Paestum of Southern Italy has been a subject of much intrigue for historians and archaeologists alike.
A Glimpse into History: The Discovery of the Temples
In the western part of Poseidonia-Paestum, near the city walls and a few hundred meters from the sea, a stratigraphic excavation campaign is underway. This significant archaeological endeavor has brought to light two Doric-style Greek temples. These sacred buildings allow for new insights into the origins and urban development of the Magna Graecia polis. They provide crucial data for understanding the evolution of Doric architecture in Poseidonia and Magna Graecia.
The first temple, initially intercepted in June 2019 and investigated from September 2022, dates back to the early decades of the 5th century BC. It stands unique in its architectural characteristics and dimensions, representing a singular entity in Doric temple architecture. Preserved are parts of the stylobate (column base) and the crepidoma (steps where the temple was built), measuring 11.60 x 7.60 m, with a peristasis of 4×6 columns.
Nel @paestumparco sono stati portati alla luce due templi greci di stile dorico. Una scoperta che consente di ampliare la conoscenza della polis e di comprendere l’evoluzione dell’architettura dorica a Poseidonia e in Magna Grecia.#MiC #scoperte #archeologia pic.twitter.com/Qzw0FjIIhX
— Ministero della Cultura (@MiC_Italia) January 13, 2024
Recent investigations reveal a more ancient story for the sanctuary. Within the temple structure, beneath the peristasis, 14 fragmentary Doric capitals and other architectural materials have been repurposed, likely for ritualistic purposes. These capitals are similar in size to those of the smaller temple explored so far. However, their typology is different, comparable to the capitals of the Temple of Hera I, also known as the “Basilica,” the oldest of Paestum’s three major temples.
These exceptional findings suggest the presence of another temple, modest in size but with architectural features similar to those of the first great temples of Paestum, dating back to the 6th century BC. For reasons yet to be determined, perhaps a collapse, this structure was replaced in the same area by a new temple at the beginning of the following century.
Beyond Architecture: Urban Layout of the Temple
The discovery’s significance extends beyond architecture and the sanctuary’s history; it considerably broadens our knowledge of the city’s urban layout. Behind the temple, the collapse of the inner facing of the ancient city walls, which had partially destroyed the temple, has been dismantled. Beneath this collapse, the route of a beaten road running parallel to the temple was discovered. Interestingly, it has a different orientation from the walls. This finding is extremely important as it documents that at the end of the 6th century BC, when the oldest temple was erected, the city of Poseidonia was not yet equipped with defensive walls.
During a period of significant growth of the polis, the colonists of Poseidonia built a sanctuary in a strategic location. It protected the urban space and was directly visible from the sea. The importance of this sacred space is confirmed by its complex building phases, which saw the construction of two Doric temples. Its uninterrupted use, spanning over half a millennium, marks a fundamental continuity of worship through the Greco-Lucanian and Roman eras.
The Significance of the Discovery
The archaeological site of Paestum, until now, was renowned for its three well-preserved Greek temples of Doric order, two of which are older than the Parthenon in Athens.
The first is the Temple of Hera, also known as the “Basilica,” the oldest.
Secondly, the Temple of Athena, built at the city’s highest point.
Thirdly, the Temple of Poseidon, the best-preserved of the three.
All built between 550 and 450 BC by the settlers of Magna Graecia, these temples attract thousands of visitors each year.
In Southern Italy, the two Ancient Greek Doric temples unearthed in the ancient Greek city of Poseidonia, now known as Paestum, have brought significant insights. Found near the city’s walls and a few hundred meters from the sea, these buildings provide new information about the origins and urban development of Magna Graecia. They offer critical data for understanding the evolution of Doric architecture in Poseidonia and ancient Greece.
Further excavation projects
The Italian Minister of Culture, Gennaro Sangiuliano highlighted the importance to expand on these discoveries. These discoveries underscore the ongoing potential for archaeological exploration and research in Paestum. The reopening of the National Archaeological Museum after significant refurbishment exemplifies these efforts.
The Italian ministry has also taken another ambitious initiative. “Elea: The Rebirth” exhibition is an initiative that provides interactive learning through an app. In other words, the app will provide the story and paths of the ancient Greek city of Elea. The purpose of this app is for an interactive learning experience for tourists and locals alike.
Une découverte importante vient d'être faite dans le parc archéologique de Paestum qui a mis au jour deux nouveaux temples doriques antiques.
Le premier temple découvert remonte aux environs du 5ème siècle après JC
Le second est plus ancien encore.
Il reste beaucoup à découvrir pic.twitter.com/65iZyZHFCT— TaQuIn MaUvE (@TaQuIn_MaUvE) January 14, 2024
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