Waldstein, Charles: The Argive Heraeum (Band 1): General introduction, geology, architecture marble statuary and inscriptions (Boston [u.a.], 1902)

42

() EN E It AI a I NT RODU( !TI( )N

4. Besides stone implements which point to the Neolithic period, copper and bronze
were found in every part of the excavation. Iron was found in greatest profusion at
the northeast corner of the Second Temple platform, as well as at the Southwest Stoa.
We have thus traces of the Neolithic, the Bronze, and the Iron Ages on this site.

With these facts before us Ave must begin a general survey of the individual objects
found, in view of the light which they may throw upon the general historical questions
before us.

TERRA-COTTA IMAGES.

In dealing with the summary evidence of the terra-cottas we must premise a few words
on plastic art in general. Besides the sculptures of the Second Temple we found a few
isolated fragments of archaic or transitional sculpture in stone, but no actual stone
sculptures of the earlier dates. Though there is one exception in carved stone-work
to be found in the block which was subsequently used in one of the walls to the north
of the Second Temple upon which the early waved pattern has been carved, there is no
instance of such early sculpture in stone. From the paucity of even primitive terra-
cotta images on the Old Temple platform
we may naturally conclude that the begin-
nings of worship on this site were in
an aniconic form. The first step to the
creation of an image was the erection of
the pillars or kiones which Pausanias still
saw there in his time, and of the existence
of which in other centres of Greek wor-
ship Ave have ample evidence.1

Now, as I ventured to surmise at the
time of its discovery," it is highly proba-
ble that in the lower fragments of a large
limestone "pillar" Ave have preserved to
us the very Jcion which Pausanias saAv,
and which symbolizes the first image to
Hera on this ancient site (see Pig. 15).
The stone in question is carved into a
pillar tapering towards the top in the
rudest manner, evidently with primitive
tools, the marks of which can still be per-
ceiAred. At the broader " foot" there is a projection forward which serves as a plinth
to keep the pillar in an upright position, the projection being merely in front and not
behind. It thus corresponds to the loAver portion of the rudest images in stone and
clay

<'m. 1-1.— Beehive Tomb near the Heraeum, on

THE ROAD TO MYCENAE.

of which Ave have cognizance.

The edges at either angle in front are leveled off

1 Pausanias (II. 9. G) mentions one representing At- form of two pillars (Overbeek, /. c. I. p. 5). So also

temis Patroa at Sicyon. He also saw thirty of these at Zeus is represented as a square pillar on a vase (Gerhard,

Pharae in Achaia, each having the name of a god (VII. Akadem. Ahhandl. p. 50, Nos. 2, 3, 4, 7 ; cf. Collignon,

2'2. 4). Coins and vases give us later renderings of these Hist. Sculpt. Gr. p. 103).

early objects. So an Apollo on a coin of Ambracia 2 See Report, 1892, and my Excavations of the Ameri-

(Overbeck, Griecli. Kunstmylh. V. pp. 1-5, Munztafel i. can School at the Heraion, etc. p. 19.
Nos. 1-7). A coin of Ceos has Hera and Zeus in the