Bull heads, statues and a gorgon: they find a priceless treasure in Italy that “can change history”

The stone base with the access steps and the delimitation of the cell that housed the divinity, the terracotta decorations of colors of the roof with joints in the shape of a lion, an extraordinary gorgon, A touching Aphrodite.

But also seven amazing bull headsthe altar with the grooved stone to collect the sacrificial liquids and hundreds of votive offerings including images of a Eros riding a dolphinwhose fantasy could refer to the mythical Poseidon, the god who gave the city its name.

In Paestum, SalernoIn southern Italy, the works to bring to light the sanctuary discovered in 2019 along the walls of the ancient city are holding big surprises.

An excavation, as anticipated to ANSA by the director of the Archaeological Park, Tiziana D’Angelo, which promises “changing the known history of ancient Poseidonia”.

Almost like an open window on a fragment of 500 years of life the city that the Greeks of Sibari founded in 600 BC C. and which then passed under the Lucani to finally become a colony of Rome.

Truly a unique context that “sheds a very interesting light on ancient religious life”, applauds the director of the Museums of the Ministry of Culture, Massimo Hosannawhich recalls that the archaeological research conducted in Paestum in the 1950s around the main temples was not scientifically documented.

Started in 2020 and right away blocked by the pandemic, the excavations resumed a few months ago: “What we are facing today is the moment in which the sanctuary, for reasons still to be clarified, was abandoned, between the end of the 2nd century and the beginning of the 1st century BC”, says D’ Angel.

The analysis of mud decorations allowed us to date its foundation in the first quarter of the fifth century BC, when some of the most important monumental buildings that have come down to us had already been built in the Greek colony, the temple of Hera, built between 560 and 520 BC, and that of Athena, dating back to 500 BC

the temple of Neptune however, it was completed shortly after, in 460 BC, after a long gestation. Of very small dimensions – measuring 15.60 meters by 7.50 – with 4 columns in the front and 7 on the sides, the temple is in Doric style like the others, but is distinguished by the purity of its forms.

“And he peripteral Doric temple The smallest building we know before the Hellenistic age, the first building in Paestum to fully express the Doric canon”, explains Gabriel Zuchtriegel, former director of Paestum now in charge of Pompeii, who is about to publish an extensive study on Doric architecture.

AND “almost a small model of the great temple of Neptune”, which at that time must have been under construction, “a sort of missing link between the sixth and fifth centuries BC C.”

Very important, therefore, also because it somehow demonstrates the artistic and cultural autonomy of the community and it disowns those who have always believed that in the colonies they limited themselves to copying the productions of their homeland.

However, too The quantity of objects found is extraordinary. in the space that separates the facade of the building from the altar, usually erected outside: terracotta statuettes with the faces of the offerers or divinities, up to 15 with little Eros riding a dolphin, small temples and miniature altars.

They are small masterpieces of craftsmanship that add to the seven bull heads that surround the altar, perhaps “accessories” available to those who administered the cult. And which seem to have been placed on the ground with devotion, “as in a closing rite”, reasons D’Angelo, when the sanctuary, which continued to be frequented even in the Lucan era and then from 273 BC. with the arrival of the Romans it fell into disuse.

“Every day a surprise”, smiles the director surrounded by the team of archaeologists coordinated by Francesco Mele.

To understand more, of course, it will take some time, studies, restorations, laboratory analyzes will be needed.

Meanwhile, research is underway to document every stage of the life of the temple up to the time of its construction, also trying to understand the dynamics that led to the collapse on one side of the wall at the rear of the building.

The elements of strong interest «are many», enthuses D’Angelo. Like the signature, right on one of the statuettes with the dolphin, of the Avilis, “a family of potters from Lazioalso known in Delos, whose presence here in Paestum had never been documented”.

Or like the very particular location of this sanctuary, built in the city yes, but far from the center and the other temples, leaning against the walls. Very close to the sea, to which it practically appeared: “The ships passing by found him ahead.”

Our thoughts go to the cupids on the dolphin and on a Roman coin from the 3rd century BC which had Eros riding the dolphin on one side and Poseidon on the other. Could this be the temple named after the god who gave the city its name? D’Angelo is cautious: «It’s still early to tell, but the hypothesis is extremely interesting. It is a suggestion, waiting for the excavations to shed new light on the story».