DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.4945#0080
The Primitive Structures.
69
stones, it was not considered adequate to support an important superstructure
contemplated by the Croesus architect (probably his inner order of cella
columns). The remaining fragment has vertical and accurately squared faces
both west and north, and seems to represent the original western extremity
of a wall. It is bedded on the usual clay at —4*53, and consists of nine courses
whose upper surface lies at — 3'64. It is, thus, nearly one metre high, and
probably owes its survival to its being an end, and better constructed than the
rest of the wall (Fig. 28). We searched in the corresponding position upon
the north side of the Temple area for fragments of a similar inner wall, but
without success, the
destruction wrought by
the Croesus builders
proving to have been
complete on that side.
Such are the re-
mains of the Primitive
structures contained
within the area of the
superposed Croesus
cella. The evidence
they offer for under-
standing or recon-
structing the plans of
the successive Primi-
tive shrines is deplora-
bly imperfect and in
Fig. 28. Fragment of C Inner Enclosure on S.W. (under the man's feet)
D Foundations continuing it on left, and foundations of D cella.
S. Wall in background.
some points not a little obscure; but the following conclusions may be hazarded:—
1. We have to do with three periods of construction prior to the Croesus
foundation (middle of sixth century B.C.).
2. In these periods a Temple cella of dimensions not greatly inferior to
those of the Croesus and Hellenistic cellae was evolved by degrees from a small
and possibly roofed Statue-Basis with platform or altar to the west of it,
standing in the open within a walled Temenos.
3. This evolution was marked by three successive changes—
(a) The Temenos floor was raised twice from its original bed upon
the marsh sand to surface levels of about —4'45 in the first restoration
(/>'), and finally of about —4'10 in the second (C). These successive
69
stones, it was not considered adequate to support an important superstructure
contemplated by the Croesus architect (probably his inner order of cella
columns). The remaining fragment has vertical and accurately squared faces
both west and north, and seems to represent the original western extremity
of a wall. It is bedded on the usual clay at —4*53, and consists of nine courses
whose upper surface lies at — 3'64. It is, thus, nearly one metre high, and
probably owes its survival to its being an end, and better constructed than the
rest of the wall (Fig. 28). We searched in the corresponding position upon
the north side of the Temple area for fragments of a similar inner wall, but
without success, the
destruction wrought by
the Croesus builders
proving to have been
complete on that side.
Such are the re-
mains of the Primitive
structures contained
within the area of the
superposed Croesus
cella. The evidence
they offer for under-
standing or recon-
structing the plans of
the successive Primi-
tive shrines is deplora-
bly imperfect and in
Fig. 28. Fragment of C Inner Enclosure on S.W. (under the man's feet)
D Foundations continuing it on left, and foundations of D cella.
S. Wall in background.
some points not a little obscure; but the following conclusions may be hazarded:—
1. We have to do with three periods of construction prior to the Croesus
foundation (middle of sixth century B.C.).
2. In these periods a Temple cella of dimensions not greatly inferior to
those of the Croesus and Hellenistic cellae was evolved by degrees from a small
and possibly roofed Statue-Basis with platform or altar to the west of it,
standing in the open within a walled Temenos.
3. This evolution was marked by three successive changes—
(a) The Temenos floor was raised twice from its original bed upon
the marsh sand to surface levels of about —4'45 in the first restoration
(/>'), and finally of about —4'10 in the second (C). These successive