Archeology, a Doric monument emerges in Paestum

2019-09-12T20:32:12.524Z

By removing what over the years had become a veritable jungle that covered the western side of the walls of Paestum, archaeologists have discovered capitals, columns, cornices and triglyphs of a Doric building in the city of temples. The most surprising detail in a panel, probably a metope, in sandstone decorated with three rosettes in relief, as they are also known in other Doric buildings built between the VI and V centuries. BC in Paestum and its territory. The Archaeological Park of Paestum makes it known. The cleaning of the walls, specified by the management of the archaeological park, were started a few days ago as part of a European project financed with structural funds and functional to the restoration and redevelopment of the walls of ancient Paestum, about 5 km long . The architectural elements, of extreme interest also due to the presence of traces of plaster and red-colored paint, seem to have been accumulated along the walls in the context of agricultural works since the 1960s. They seem to belong to a smaller building - a small temple or a portico (stoà) - which dates back to the same horizon as the Tomba del Tuffatore and the Temple of Athena (late 6th / early 5th century BC). As explained by the director of the Archaeological Park of Paestum, Gabriel Zuchtriegel, the area in the past returned a votive deposit, with clay statuettes of female deities on a throne and ceramic fragments datable between the VI and III centuries. BC It is located in the vicinity of what was probably the kerameikos of Paestum, the artisan district where the famous painted vases of the city were manufactured. Gabriel Zuchtriegel, contacted by us, claims that the search for other finds accumulated along the walls is underway. These come from an agricultural land nearby. It is not known if the finds are from a stoà or a small temple. The foundations of this building are sought in the nearby area. It will be necessary to agree with the Superintendency the operations for the knowledge, conservation and fruition of this cultural heritage.