Archaic Greek temple unearhed in Phanagoria, Russia

In 2013 a classical Greek temple dating to the first half of the fifth century BC was discovered by Russian archaeologists excavating the 'Upper city' or Acropolis of Phanagoria, the largest ancient Greek city on the Taman peninsula, on the eastern shore of the Cimmerian Bosporus.

The remains of the archaic temple [Credit: Earth Chronicles]

This season's excavations, however, revealed the remains of an even older temple dating to the first half of the 5th century BC, lying immediately beneath the foundations of its successor.

Altar-hearth inside the temple [Credit: Earth Chronicles]

Like its later counterpart, the newly discovered temple consisted of a small two-columned portico leading to the inner shrine area.

Reconstruction of the Archaic temple at Phanagoria [Credit: Earth Chronicles]

The entire structure covers an area of about 14.5 square metres.

It was made of raw brick laid directly on the ground with no foundations, as were many other buildings in Phanagoria at this early date.

An interesting feature of the archaic temple is the location of a built-up hearth in its interior that probably served as an altar for bloodless sacrifices and other religious ceremonies.

Source: Skai [July 07, 2016]