DOI Seite / Zitierlink:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.4945#0042
Excavations of 1904-5. 31
II. Exploration beneath the Croesus Platform.
Wood, as has been said (p. 10), made four soundings through the pave-
ment of the Croesus platform in the last year of his excavation, but failed
to come upon, or at least to recognise, any underlying stratum of structural
remains independent of the foundations of that platform. He reached
a bedding of " putty-like clay" within the cella and was then satisfied
that he had attained to the bottom of all things. It must be presumed
that his measurement was reckoned from the surface of the pavement, as
represented by the slabs on which the surviving fragment of the west wall
in the northern half of the cella is based. Unfortunately in this case there
is no record of details. We are told neither the exact situation of Wood's
pit nor the character of the strata through which it was sunk. Wood must
have found it necessary to remove massive foundation-blocks immediately
below the under-pavement, and perhaps something besides at a still lower
level ; for in many parts of the cella, as we afterwards found, a Primitive
stratum of remains would have been tapped ere a depth of 5 feet 9 inches below
the Croesus pavement was reached. When we came to explore the lower
strata in the west end of the cella, we observed that the Croesus foundations had
been removed, and the underlying deposit disturbed, over an irregularly shaped
area situated on the longitudinal axis about midway between Wood's " Great
Altar " and the door. This may well have been the result of one of Wood's
soundings ; but if so, it is surprising that he got no inkling of the structural
remains which we found to occur immediately below the Croesus foundations
in this quarter.
It was intended from the first to test and enlarge Wood's exploration of
the lower strata. Our deep operations were carried out at different times both
under the Croesus platform and outside its area, and may, for convenience, be
described here in two divisions, (1) those in the marginal step-area and
peristyle, (2) those within the cella.
1. Marginal Step-Area and Peristyle.—Deep soundings were made at
various times during the two seasons at several points round the margin of the
Croesus peristyle, both within the area of its steps and under their Hellenistic
extension ; but in every case without structural remains being found under-
neath the Croesus stratum. On the south of the site (H 11]) a broad and deep
cut was made from the inner end of the Hellenistic piers to a point 2-00
outside the cross wall, and driven through the foundation and the paving of the
1 These references are to tlie Genera] Plan given in the Atlas, plate I.
II. Exploration beneath the Croesus Platform.
Wood, as has been said (p. 10), made four soundings through the pave-
ment of the Croesus platform in the last year of his excavation, but failed
to come upon, or at least to recognise, any underlying stratum of structural
remains independent of the foundations of that platform. He reached
a bedding of " putty-like clay" within the cella and was then satisfied
that he had attained to the bottom of all things. It must be presumed
that his measurement was reckoned from the surface of the pavement, as
represented by the slabs on which the surviving fragment of the west wall
in the northern half of the cella is based. Unfortunately in this case there
is no record of details. We are told neither the exact situation of Wood's
pit nor the character of the strata through which it was sunk. Wood must
have found it necessary to remove massive foundation-blocks immediately
below the under-pavement, and perhaps something besides at a still lower
level ; for in many parts of the cella, as we afterwards found, a Primitive
stratum of remains would have been tapped ere a depth of 5 feet 9 inches below
the Croesus pavement was reached. When we came to explore the lower
strata in the west end of the cella, we observed that the Croesus foundations had
been removed, and the underlying deposit disturbed, over an irregularly shaped
area situated on the longitudinal axis about midway between Wood's " Great
Altar " and the door. This may well have been the result of one of Wood's
soundings ; but if so, it is surprising that he got no inkling of the structural
remains which we found to occur immediately below the Croesus foundations
in this quarter.
It was intended from the first to test and enlarge Wood's exploration of
the lower strata. Our deep operations were carried out at different times both
under the Croesus platform and outside its area, and may, for convenience, be
described here in two divisions, (1) those in the marginal step-area and
peristyle, (2) those within the cella.
1. Marginal Step-Area and Peristyle.—Deep soundings were made at
various times during the two seasons at several points round the margin of the
Croesus peristyle, both within the area of its steps and under their Hellenistic
extension ; but in every case without structural remains being found under-
neath the Croesus stratum. On the south of the site (H 11]) a broad and deep
cut was made from the inner end of the Hellenistic piers to a point 2-00
outside the cross wall, and driven through the foundation and the paving of the
1 These references are to tlie Genera] Plan given in the Atlas, plate I.