A Multidisciplinary Approach to the Study of the Temple of Athena in Poseidonia-Paestum (Southern Italy): New Geomorphological, Geophysical and Archaeological Data

Marilena Cozzolino,Natascia Pizzano,Vincenzo Amato,Fausto Longo,Maria Luigia Rizzo,Ottavia Voza

doi:10.3390/geosciences9080324

Abstract

The Temple of Athena is one of the main sacred areas of the Greek–Roman settlement of Poseidonia-Paestum (southern Italy). Several archaeological excavations were carried out here between the late nineteenth and early twentieth century. Unfortunately, the locations of these excavations are only approximately known, as are the geomorphology and stratigraphy of the temple area. A multidisciplinary study, including stratigraphic, geomorphological, archaeological, and sedimentological investigations, remote sensing, and electromagnetic and geoelectrical tests, was therefore carried out, shedding new light on the geomorphology and stratigraphy of the SW and W temple sectors. The geophysical data obtained revealed anomalies in the subsoil that probably correspond to ancient structures and the cutting of the travertine deposits around the temple. The position and extension of the trenches of the early archaeological excavations were also established.

Highlights

The Greek–Roman settlement of Poseidonia-Paestum is one of the most important archaeological sites of southern Italy
Our work was based on a multidisciplinary approach involving five distinct steps: (1) acquisition and processing of previous archaeological and geological knowledge; (2) geomorphological study of preexisting topographic maps and aerial photos, supported by new topographical surveys and field geomorphology; (3) stratigraphic analysis by means of boreholes, archaeo-stratigraphical excavations and field geology; (4) ground penetrating radar (GPR) and geoelectrical testing; and, (5) archaeological excavation to verify the acquired data
A detailed geomorphological survey of the area within the walls of Paestum was carried out using a topographic map with contour lines spaced 1 m apart

Summary

Introduction

The Greek–Roman settlement of Poseidonia-Paestum is one of the most important archaeological sites of southern Italy. It was founded by Greek settlers at the end of the seventh century BCE along the Tyrrhenian seacoast, in the southern part of the alluvial-coastal plain of the Sele river (Figure 1a). The settlement was strategically located close to the sea and on a travertine platform rising slightly above the coastal plain. It was enclosed by a wall circuit, rectangular-trapezoid in plan (Figure 1b). The Greek city prospered from its foundation until the second half of the fifth century BCE, when it was taken over by the Lucani.

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Conclusion