Papers of the American School of Classical Studies at Athens (6.1890-1897 (1897))

THE RELATION OF THE ARCHAIC PEDIMENT-
RELIEFS FROM THE ACROPOLIS TO
VASE-PAINTING.

[Plate XXI.]

From one point of view it is a misfortune in the study ol
archaeology that, with the progress of excavation, fresh discoveries
are continually being made. If only the evidence of the facts were
all in, the case might be summed up and a final judgment pro-
nounced on points in dispute. As it is, the ablest scholar must
feel cautious about expressing a decided opinion; for the whole'
fabric of his argument may be overturned any day by the uneartn-
ing of a fragment of pottery or a sculptured head. Years ago, it
was easy to demonstrate the absurdity of any theory of polychrome
decoration. The few who dared to believe that the Greek temple
was not in every part as white as the original marble subjected
themselves to the pitying scorn of their fellows. Only the discov-
eries of recent years have brought proof too positive to be gain-
said. The process of unlearning and throwing over old and
cherished notions is always hard; perhaps it has been especially so
in archaeology.

The thorough investigation of the soil and rock of the Acro-
polis lately finished by the Greek Government has brought to light
so much that is new and strange that definite explanations and
conclusions are still far away. The pediment-reliefs in poros
which now occupy the second and third rooms of the Acropolis
Museum have already been somewhat fully treated, especially in
their architectural bearings. Dr. Bruckner of the German Institute
302