Ancient Keryneia, Aigialeia

Excavations and architecture in the sanctuary of Profitis Elias

Abstract

with an appendix by Eleni Psathi

Systematic excavations on the peak Profitis Elias at Mamousia in Achaia have exposed the remains of a sanctuary that may have belonged to the territory of ancient Keryneia. The Archaic peripteros dominated the peak. This temple, which dates between 500 and 490 B.C., was built of sandstone with simas, acroteria and pediment sculptures of insular marble. The shape of the krepis and comparanda suggest a pteron with 14 columns on its flanks. It is striking that the cella is unusually narrow, as is also the case with the contemporary temple of Athena in Alipheira. The remains of an altar and a small oikos are located east of the Archaic peripteral temple. The Archaic sanctuary was, in all likelihood, destroyed by the earthquake of 373 B.C. Excavations west of the large Archaic temple uncovered the remains of a smaller temple with two columns in antis and a square cella, which can be dated to the middle of the 4^th century B.C.