The archaeological and historical context of Greek foundation deposits provides a foundation for the investigation of the meaning and function of foundation rituals in ancient Greek culture. This dissertation argues that Greek foundation rituals are Near Eastern in origin and were likely developed through contact with these cultures, further illustrating the impact of eastern traditions on Greek sacred architecture. Of particular importance are the formal similarities Greek foundation deposits share with those of Near Eastern cultures, an affinity which appears especially intense in East Greece and other areas where contact with the Near East was strongest. Reconstructed from the archaeological evidence, ancient Greek foundation rituals are related to the broader history of foundation rituals in the ancient Mediterranean, especially to the traditions of Egypt and Mesopotamia. This dissertation presents all published foundation deposits in their archaeological contexts and identifies patterns in placement, method of deposition, type of material deposited, and geographic distribution. The discovery of foundation deposits in association with cult architecture from all over the ancient Greek world and from every historical period attests that foundation rituals were regular features of sacred building. These distinctive deposits were ritually interred during the beginning stages of construction, usually within the fabric of the structure itself. Foundation rituals are prescribed rites known throughout the ancient Mediterranean that marked the initiation of a buildings' construction, usually with a combination of prayer, sacrifice, and the burial of foundation deposits containing offerings of various types and/or sacrificial material. This dissertation examines the evidence for foundation rituals in post-Bronze Age Greece while investigating their function and meaning in ancient Greek culture.Affiliation: College of Arts and Sciences, Department of Art and Art History.
0 kommentar(er)
