Article · 2021
Provenance Study of Votive Figurines from the Sanctuary of Apollon in Emecik
Ü. Muşkara, S. Bakırdere, N. Tuna and O. Y. Ataman
CEDRUS 9 109-129
An article on the limestone sources of 85 votive figurines from the sanctuary of Apollon at Emecik, compared by microfossils and geochemistry with samples from Datça and Cyprus.
Muşkara and colleagues investigate the raw-material sources of 85 limestone votive figurines and an architectural fragment from the Archaic sanctuary of Apollon at Emecik, in the territory of Knidos on the Datça peninsula, a sanctuary the article says was dedicated to Apollon from the Geometric period. They test the earlier attribution of the figurines to Cypriot limestone by comparing them with geological samples from outcrops around Akyazı and Rüzgarlı on the Datça peninsula and Erdemli and Değirmenlik in Cyprus.
Thin sections were examined for planktonic foraminifera, powdered samples were tested for major, trace and rare earth elements by ICP-OES and ICP-MS, and hierarchical cluster analysis using five variables grouped the samples (pp. 112–116, 121–122).
Four archaeological samples, among them the architectural fragment, are assigned to local Datça limestone and the remaining figurines to Cyprus, with Group 2C associated with limestone around Değirmenlik and the other groups with the Pakhna formation at Erdemli. Muşkara and colleagues state that rare earth element patterns help to distinguish sources where foraminiferal contents are similar. The authors argue that the assemblage includes imported material and a smaller local component, and read the combination as evidence for connections and possible itinerant sculptor routes between Datça, Cyprus and other regions (pp. 121–123).
What it records
- Analysis covered 85 limestone figurines recovered from the Apollon sanctuary at Emecik.p. 109
- Excavations at the Apollon sanctuary ran from 1998 to 2006 under the direction of Numan Tuna.p. 111
- The figurines were used as fill in the south terrace wall and are dated by the article to before its construction, no later than 560 BC.p. 112
- Nine figurines are rich in planktonic foraminifera, while EF-03, EF-30 and EF-85 were not made from fossiliferous limestone.p. 116
- Four samples, including an architectural fragment, are identified as made from local limestone, in the authors' assignment.p. 122
- Group 2C figurines seem to be associated with limestone from around Değirmenlik, representing sedimentary rocks of the Değirmenlik Group.p. 123
- Muşkara and colleagues state that limestone from Erdemli representing the Pakhna formation was used for other figurines.p. 123
Where to read
- Geological sampling locations in Datça and Cypruspp. 114–115
- Foraminiferal comparison and REE source groupspp. 116–122
- Conclusions on local and Cypriot limestone sourcespp. 122–123
Contents
- Introduction110
- The Archaeological Context of Votive Figurines from the Apollon Sanctuary111
- Materials and Methods112
- Archaeological Samples112
- Geological Samples from the Datça Peninsula114
- Geological Samples from Cyprus114
- Analytical Methods115
- Results and Discussion116
- Micropaleontologic analysis116
- Provenance Discrimination of Figurines Using REE Geochemistry117
- According to Features as Mentioned Earlier:121
- Statistical Analysis122
- Conclusion122
- Acknowledgments123
- Bibliography127
Objects published here
2- Miniature woman, Apollon sanctuary, Emecik, ST.06.I12.d8.21, EF-03 (p. 112)
- Architectural fragment, Apollon sanctuary, Emecik, ST.02.18b.19.A.12, EF-85 (p. 114)
People, places and institutions
People
- Aynur Hakyemezconducted micropaleontologic study
- Andriotiproposed Cypriote origin for mixed-style figurines
- Kyrieleisproposed a Naucratic origin for some figurines
- Fockenberganalysed figurines and geological specimens
Institutions
- MTA (General Directorate of Mineral Research and Exploration)location of optical microscopy
- Middle East Technical Universitythin-section laboratory and project supporter
Places
- Emeciklocation of the Apollon sanctuary
- Apollon sanctuarysource of the figurines
- Datça Peninsularegion of local geological samples
- Knidosterritory containing the sanctuary
- Erdemlisource area for Pakhna formation samples
- Değirmenliksource area for limestone samples
Also named: Sariliman, Akyazı, Rüzgarlı, Kızlan.
Extent pp. 109–129, 10 figs; plate; bibliography
Defines Group 1, Group 2, Group 2A, Group 2B, Group 2C, Group 2D
Cypro-GeometricCypro-ArchaicCypro-ClassicalCyprus Before HumansSculptureForeign ContactsCraft ProductionChronology and Dating
Cited on Ancient Cyprus
1 page- The Statues of Ancient CyprusCompendium