Kouroi and Necropolis of Tenea. Publication of the Graves and the Sculpture in the Regional Context

• Applicant: Professor Dr. Torsten Mattern
• Subject Area: Classical, Roman, Christian and Islamic Archaeology
• Term: from 2014 to 2020
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 261957822

In Mai 2010, the Greek police was able to seize two life-sized kouroi dating back to the last third of the 6th century. It is one of the most important new findings among Greek plastics during the last decades. Due to the statements given by the arrested treasure hunters, it was also possible to excavate the corresponding necropolis. The necropolis stretched out over both sides of an road, the Kontoporeia, that led from Korinth to Argos. In the course of the excavation, 77 tombs were uncovered dating from the 6th century untill the 4th century BC. All of the tombs were untouched and contained, besides the remains of the buried bodies, also burial objects. It was also possible to identify the tombs belonging to the kouroi in question. Thus, one is not only able for the first time to securely recontruct the erection of archaic grave kouroi but, due to the respective burial objects, the stilistic dating of late-archaic plastics can also be further ensured. The aim of the project is the scientific evaluation and publication of the necoropolis and of the two grave kouroi in the context of further burial sites in the Korinthia.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants