Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin - Kultur-, Sozial- und Bildungswissen­schaftliche Fakultät - Winckelmann-Institut

 

 

In the area of the eastern spring sanctuary, excavation trench SSE04 was established during the 2026 campaign. This trench served to significantly expand on the previous year’s trench, SSE02, with the aim of more precisely documenting the archaeological situation within the surface-visible remains of the eastern temenos. The focus of the investigations was on the earlier wall uncovered in 2025, as well as the immediately adjacent votive deposits, which date to the 6th century B.C.

 

The aforementioned earlier wall was documented continuously along its entire length of approximately 7 meters. In the adjacent excavation area, several concentrations of iron and ceramic objects were uncovered. Similar to the “Humboldt hoard” recovered in 2025, these finds originated from a water-bearing clay layer; their restoration and presentation are currently underway at the museums in Policoro and Sybaris.

 

Among the metal finds, one hoard stands out, consisting of a large number of iron obeloi approximately 1 meter long—spear-like metal rods that served in Archaic Greece as a pre-monetary means of payment as well as ritual and sacrificial implements. A detailed analysis of these finds promises further insights into the ritual practices of the Archaic sanctuary.

 

In addition, numerous well-preserved ceramic vessels and fragments of votive terracotta were recovered. The excavation of the transitional area between the active sanctuary site and the sterile sandy slope has also provided new insights into the sanctuary’s topography.

 

Based on this year’s findings, it can be tentatively concluded that a sprawling ritual area existed to the east of the spring sanctuary in the sixth century B.C. In subsequent campaigns, these findings must be contextualized through further excavations in order to better classify the evidence.