S/Ü Die materielle Kultur griechischer Heiligtümer. Workshop zu archäologischen Forschungspraktiken (Blockveranstaltung 18.08 – 19.08.26)

Instructors: Dr. Anne Sieverling-Pantelidis
Shortname: S/Ü KA
Course No.: 07.012.24_520
Course Type: Seminar

Recommended reading list


  1. S. Barfoed, The Artemis Laphria sanctuary at Kalydon in Aitolia. The finds from the 1920-30s Danish-Greek excavations, Monographs of the Danish Institute at Athens 25 (Aarhus 2025)
  2. F. Lang, Felsen und Steine - Mutmaßungen über an-ikonische Kultstätten in Akarnanien, in: M. Giannopoulou – Chr. Kallini (Hrsg.), Echadin. Timetikos tomos gia te Stella Drougou (Athen 2016) 738–758
  3. F. Lang, Architektur im Kontex akarnanischer Kultorte, in: O. Vikatou – V. Staikou – P. Saranti (Hrsg.), Proceedings of the 2nd International Archaeological and Historical Congress 6-8.12.2013 (Mesolonghi 2018) 109–123
  4. M. Haysom – M. Mili – J. Wallensten, Introduction: The Stuff of the Goods, in: M. Haysom – M. Mili – J. Wallensten (Hrsg.), The Stuff of the goods. The material aspects of religion in ancient Greece, Skrifter utgivna av Svenska Institutet i Athen 59 (2024) 1–14, doi: https://doi.org/10.30549/actaath-4-59-00
  5. J. M. Barringer – G. Ekroth – D. Scahill, Logistics in Greek Sanctuaries: Exploring the Human Experience of Visiting the Gods, Monumenta Graeca et Romana 30 (2025)

Contents

From an archaeological perspective, ancient Western Greece is one of the most interesting and least researched regions. This also applies to the sanctuaries and cult sites in this region, which will be the focus of this course. The sanctuaries and cult sites are extremely diverse, ranging from small cult sites to large sanctuary complexes of supra-regional importance. The seminar deals with the (sacred) landscape that forms the framework and setting, the built environment, and the various objects (e.g. pottery, coins, inscriptions, terracottas) that were used in these sanctuaries and later found there.

In archaeological and historical research, ancient sanctuaries are understood not only as places of worship, but also as social, economic, and cultural hubs. Cult, religion, and ritual form an important part of everyday life in antiquity on various levels, but also structure moments of special significance. In recent years, the material culture of Greek sanctuaries has once again become a focus of research in classical studies. This applies above all to questions concerning Greek religion (material turn/post-material turn), which understand it as a “material phenomenon” and “belief as a practice founded in the material world” (Haysom et al. 2024, 7). In addition to religious practices, social structures and economic aspects are also examined.

In order to gain an understanding of the material culture of sanctuaries and learn about various archaeological research practices, students engage with selected sanctuaries, places of worship, and cult landscapes in a variety of learning formats. The focus is on working with finds and votive material. In addition, the seminar teaches basic archaeological skills and introduces students to key source types in classical archaeology.

Dates

Date (Day of the week) Time Location
04/17/2026 (Friday) 10:00 - 14:00