eTheses Repository - University of Birmingham

A site that has indisputable evidence of later religious activity is that of the Temple of Athena
Alea at Tegea (34). At the end of the nineteenth and beginning of the twentieth century,
excavations revealed evidence of activity at the site dating from the LBA onwards (e.g.
Michelhöfer 1880; Mendel 1901; Dugas 1921; Voyatzis 1999, p.131). Most of the BA
evidence came from a bothros, or pit, underneath an eighth century metal working area,
discovered during excavations in the 1990s and mixed with material of the PG and G periods
(Voyatzis 1990, 1999; Østby, 1994). However, the bottom of the pit was not reached
(Voyatzis 1997, p.350). The evidence consists of EH, MH and LH sherds and LH figurines,
in addition to a bronze pin (Voyatzis 1994, p.120; Norwegian Institute). There was also a phi
figurine discovered in the level of the earlier G temple and another exists from a previous
excavation but has no known provenance (Voyatzis 1994, p.117). As it is clear that figurines
were used in many contexts, it is far from certain that this evidence indicates ritual activity at
this time, and the fact that LBA material has been found in later levels, or without
provenance, does not preclude the possibility of curation and deposition at a later date. This
site continues to interest many scholars (Voyatzis 1990, 1999; Østby 1994, 1997; Ødegard
forthcoming). It is considered below in relation to other sites mentioned in the case studies.
Vounon (36) and Kato Asea-Palaiokastro (45) are included in table 4.1 in order to take
account of all possibilities, although the evidence is vague at best. Vounon, a site with
dubious religious significance, is situated on a hill where the modern village is located. This
hill has been identified with Mt Kresion by Meyer (1954) on top of which, Pausanias (8.44.7)
relates, was the Sanctuary of Aphneios. Here MH, LHIIIA and LHIIIB sherds have been
found along with a stone celt and a talc button (Howell 1970, n.27), although nothing from
any later periods has been noted. Similarly, Kato Asea-Palaiokastro could be tenuously
considered to have significance for religious activity in the LH period. During the Asea
Valley Survey transect S69/35-36 produced a concentration of finds of religious type
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