The monumental archaic votive bases in the Heraion of Samos

• Applicant: Dr. Uta Dirschedl
• Subject Area: Classical, Roman, Christian and Islamic Archaeology
• Term: since 2025
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 573127552

In the Heraion of Samos (a UNESCO World Heritage Site), around 200 monumental, archaic stone votive bases and votive base foundations were uncovered. These originally supported large-scale votive offerings, such as monumental and colossal statues made of marble and bronze, bronze cauldrons, and even entire seaworthy ships. They lined the temple forecourt, the sacred road, and paths and significantly shaped the appearance of the sanctuary. Among the votive bases are important examples, such as the base of the outstanding Geneleos Group from the mid-6th century BC. The study of the votive bases, which are extremely important for the cult practice and topography of the archaic sanctuary, has long been an urgent desideratum in the research of the Heraion.The aim is, firstly, to identify the archaic votive offering bases and base foundations in the area and in the Heraion stone deposit, catalog them in three excavation campaigns, document them in detail using the SfM (Structure from Motion) method, and carefully analyze them. The types, forms and construction methods, stone materials, technical details and techniques, as well as the bedding, dowel holes, etc. on the upper surfaces of the votive bases will be examined in detail. In an excavation campaign flanking the project, the Athens Department of the German Archaeological Institute (DAI) will clarify controversial findings, such as the existence of the so-called ship base II, the function of the pedestal row beneath Dipteros II, the bases of votive offering columns, and other monuments at the north gate, as well as the chronological classification of selected bases. A synopsis of the findings of the archaeologically, epigraphically, and literary-recorded votive offerings and votive bases, with their specific bedding, etc., for the placement of specific votive offerings, will allow us to gain an overview of the repertoire, spectrum, genres, formats, materials, etc., of the monumental archaic votive offerings in the Heraion. Based on their locations, the relationship to paths, buildings, the landscape, and each other will be analyzed. On this basis, the presentation, prestige, and impact of the votive offerings will be analyzed, potentially allowing conclusions to be drawn about the status and prestige of the donors and those depicted, as well as about the self-presentation and competition of the donors and sculptors. Second, the study aims to reconstruct the processional routes and paths in the sanctuary and their hierarchy in various phases of the 7th and 6th centuries BC based on the locations of the votive bases. On this basis, the topographical development of the Heraion in the Archaic period will be traced and presented in phase plans. The results will be presented in a monograph in the DAI’s Samos series.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants