DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.2533#0470
346
engraved stones, gems, and ivories
CLASS II. NEW TYPE—'ARGIVE.'
The following are stones of a new, or at least very unusual type. There are thirty-
three (Nos. 9-41) of them. They vary considerably in shape: —
1. Hemispherical; 11 (Nos. 9-19).
2. Button shape; 4 (Nos. 20-23).
3. Cylindrical: 1 (No. 24).
4. Shield shape ; 1 (No. 25).
5. Rectangular; 8 (Nos. 26-33).
6. Lenticular and lozenge ; 5 (Nos. 34-88).
7. Rectangular and oval with animal on top; 3 (Nos. 39-41).
The designs vary less than the shapes. They fall into three classes: —
1. Human.
2. Animal.
3. Geometric.
Perhaps a fourth class unintelligible ought to be added. The stones are often carved
on all their various surfaces, whether curved or flat. Of the hemispherical group six
have carving only on the flat surface, and the other five have their rounded back deco-
rated with zigzags.
The button-shape group contains but one exception (No. 23) to the rule that the speci-
mens of this shape have both of their flat surfaces carved.
The one cylindrical stone has one end carved and the other smooth.
The shield-shaped stone is carved only on the flat surface.
The rectangular group also shows one exception (No. 31) to the same rule.
Three of the five lozenge-shaped stones are carved on both sides; one on only one.
One is doubtful (No. 36).
Of the animal group, No. 41 is the only example that has more than one surface adapt-
able to carving. In this case the animal is on the edge of the stone and both flat sur-
faces are carved.
On first sight one sees that these stones have little or nothing to do with the true
Mycenaean stones with which it seems, from the proximity of the Heraeum to Mycenae,
they might well have had some connection. The few Mycenaean stones that were found
in the excavation are easily differentiated from those of the new class, and that so very
few Mycenaean ones were found appears to be another bit of evidence to show how little
the Heraeum depended on foreign trade for the satisfaction of its needs. The nature of
the carving on the new stones, rude and awkward as it is, is quite unlike that of true
Mycenaean work. Nor did the Mycenaean carvers show any special preference for steatite,
while the subjects which they were fond of representing, such as lions, cows, fish flying,
religious and hunting1 scenes, do not occur on the Heraeum stones. A few stones of the
same character as those under discussion have been found in other parts of the Greek
world, and they will be noted in connection with the special specimens to which they bear
the closest resemblance. Further excavation will undoubtedly bring others to light, but
for the present the Heraeum must be considered if not the original source of this work, at
least a place where it was in considerable demand.
One curious point in regard to their discovery which may throw light not only on the
stones themselves but also on the history of the Heraeum is that none were found on the
Old Temple terrace, but all came from the neighborhood of the Fifth-century Temple and
engraved stones, gems, and ivories
CLASS II. NEW TYPE—'ARGIVE.'
The following are stones of a new, or at least very unusual type. There are thirty-
three (Nos. 9-41) of them. They vary considerably in shape: —
1. Hemispherical; 11 (Nos. 9-19).
2. Button shape; 4 (Nos. 20-23).
3. Cylindrical: 1 (No. 24).
4. Shield shape ; 1 (No. 25).
5. Rectangular; 8 (Nos. 26-33).
6. Lenticular and lozenge ; 5 (Nos. 34-88).
7. Rectangular and oval with animal on top; 3 (Nos. 39-41).
The designs vary less than the shapes. They fall into three classes: —
1. Human.
2. Animal.
3. Geometric.
Perhaps a fourth class unintelligible ought to be added. The stones are often carved
on all their various surfaces, whether curved or flat. Of the hemispherical group six
have carving only on the flat surface, and the other five have their rounded back deco-
rated with zigzags.
The button-shape group contains but one exception (No. 23) to the rule that the speci-
mens of this shape have both of their flat surfaces carved.
The one cylindrical stone has one end carved and the other smooth.
The shield-shaped stone is carved only on the flat surface.
The rectangular group also shows one exception (No. 31) to the same rule.
Three of the five lozenge-shaped stones are carved on both sides; one on only one.
One is doubtful (No. 36).
Of the animal group, No. 41 is the only example that has more than one surface adapt-
able to carving. In this case the animal is on the edge of the stone and both flat sur-
faces are carved.
On first sight one sees that these stones have little or nothing to do with the true
Mycenaean stones with which it seems, from the proximity of the Heraeum to Mycenae,
they might well have had some connection. The few Mycenaean stones that were found
in the excavation are easily differentiated from those of the new class, and that so very
few Mycenaean ones were found appears to be another bit of evidence to show how little
the Heraeum depended on foreign trade for the satisfaction of its needs. The nature of
the carving on the new stones, rude and awkward as it is, is quite unlike that of true
Mycenaean work. Nor did the Mycenaean carvers show any special preference for steatite,
while the subjects which they were fond of representing, such as lions, cows, fish flying,
religious and hunting1 scenes, do not occur on the Heraeum stones. A few stones of the
same character as those under discussion have been found in other parts of the Greek
world, and they will be noted in connection with the special specimens to which they bear
the closest resemblance. Further excavation will undoubtedly bring others to light, but
for the present the Heraeum must be considered if not the original source of this work, at
least a place where it was in considerable demand.
One curious point in regard to their discovery which may throw light not only on the
stones themselves but also on the history of the Heraeum is that none were found on the
Old Temple terrace, but all came from the neighborhood of the Fifth-century Temple and