eTheses Repository - University of Birmingham

number of factors found together that encourages the identification of a religious site
(Renfrew 1985, p.19). For instance, it is the concentration of figurines in association with
frescoes and architectural additions such as stone benches, as at Mycenae and Asine
mentioned above, that is so persuasive (Dickinson 1994, p.293; Renfrew 1985, p.19 no.2, 6,
8, 11). In some cases the interpretation of such items as religious, with or without association
to architectural additions, are further supported by the presence of a later Archaic and/or
Classical temple on the same site, which has confidently been interpreted as a place of
worship. This is particularly the case where LBA activity is represented by such artefacts as
figurines, rhyta and so on (e.g. Temple of Apollo at Delphi; the Telesterion at Eleusis; throne
of Apollo at Amyklaion; Taylour 1983, p.64; Temple of Aphaia on Aegina, Pilafidis-
Williams 1998). However, in addition, part of the repertoire associated with sacred space in
the LH period are objects often described as ‘domestic’ in nature, such as spindle whorls,
domestic wares and stone tools (Sourvinou-Inwood 1993, p.7). When such material is found
on sites of later sacred activity, it is also often posited as the result of religious activity, albeit
tentatively (e.g. Mazarakis Ainian 1997, p.308-309; Forsen et al 1999, p.179; and see below).
As Renfrew (1994, p.47) states, identification is not easy when artefacts used in a religious
context have other, secular uses.
4.2.2: Late Helladic religious and sacred sites in Arkadia
The points raised above regarding recognising Mycenaean religious and ritual activity are
pertinent to the evidence from Arkadia. Of 57 sites that have evidence from the LH period,
only eight can be considered to have any evidence that could be considered religious in
nature, and these are listed below in Table 4.1. It must be made clear that there remains a
great deal of uncertainty on this issue. In most cases, interpretations are based on comparative
analysis, but otherwise remain highly speculative: four of these sites are considered religious
in nature largely because later indisputable religious activity took place at the site although
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