Olympia: Bronze bull figurine accidentally discovered (vid)
- Written by E.Tsiliopoulos
A bronze bull figurine came to light in the sun of Olympia during an autopsy carried out by a team of scientists consisting of Central Services officials of the Ministry of Culture and the Ephorate of Antiquities of Ilia.
The small, intact figurine was located thanks to the observation of the archaeologist Mrs. Zacharoula Leventouris near the Temple of Zeus in the Holy Altis of Olympia as one of its horns protruded from the ground, after the recent heavy rains. It was removed immediately after its location and transferred to the laboratories where it was taken care of by the conservators of the Ephorate of Antiquities of Ilia. Now it awaits archaeologists to study it thoroughly and to include it typologically and chronologically.
According to the first examination, the well-made and well-preserved figurine of the bronze bull was one of the thousands of votive offerings dedicated to the mighty Zeus in his great sanctuary of Olympia during the geometric period (1050 - 700 BC). The bull, like the horse, was one of the most important animals for human survival and the creation of civilization until modern times. Thus he acquired this special role in the worship of the gods of antiquity, that is, to be a beloved object which was dedicated by the faithful for their consolation, by supplication or as a sign of pleasure.
Like dozens of similar figurines depicting animals or human figures, the bronze bull seems to have been offered by a believer at the time of the sacrifice, as evidenced by the strong burn marks on the sediments removed during its cleaning. A large number of figurines found in the thick layer of ash from the altar of Zeus that covered the entire area of Altis are exhibited in the second room of the Archaeological Museum of Olympia and is indicative of the importance of the Sanctuary of Olympia as a Panhellenic center.
Watch the relevant video prepared by the Ilia Archeological Ephorate from the location and maintenance of the bronze figurine of the bull.
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