Gerda von Bülow – Heinrich Zabehlicky (eds.),
Bruckneudorf und Gamzigrad. Spätantike Paläste und Großvillen im Donau-Balkan-Raum, SoSchrÖAI 45 (Bonn 2011).
Walter Gauß – Evangelia Kiriatzi,
Pottery Production and Supply at Bronze Age Kolonna,Aegina.
An Integrated Archaeological and Scientific Study of a Ceramic Landscape, Ägina-Kolonna. Forschungen und Ergebnisse 5 (Wien 2011).
Excavation of the rows of seats of the Odeion
Projects: Geographical Overview
The so-called Tribune – an Odeion in the Sanctuary of Artemis of Ephesos
The location of the Odeion in the Artemision
Since 2009, a structure known until now as the ›Tribune‹ has been investigated in the Sanctuary of Artemis. Its only visible remains in the once densely built up sanctuary attracted very little interest until now, and therefore were neither documented nor archaeologically investigated. The goal of the current project is to clarify the function, chronology, reconstruction and history of usage of the building.
The building, with its rectangular ground plan, measures approximately 40 × 22 m. The visibly preserved remains of the structure, consisting of a complex system of chambers, did not provide any evidence until now regarding the original function of the building. In 2010, however, it was possible to reveal part of the upper surface of the semi-circular audience hall contained within the rectangular groundplan. Furthermore, after the excavated area was extended in 2011, it became evident that the state of preservation of the rows of seats of the audience area improved with increasing depth; whereas at first only the impression from robbed out marble slabs came to light, at a greater depth slabs were still preserved in situ.
In a sondage laid out in the region of the central point of the semi-circular cavea, part of the elevated stage could be brought to light, upon which were lying collapsed blocks from the stage building assumed to be located to the east. In the area in front of the stage was found the original decoration of the orchestra floor, covered with opus sectile consisting of a geometric pattern with square framework and inscribed circular motifs.
Josef Keil and Dieter Knibbe identified this building as a ›cult theatre‹. The results of the current field work now allow a more precise interpretation: the building is unequivocally to be identified as an Odeion due to its furnishings as well as close architectural-typological comparisons. While the rectangular ground plan, which suggests a covered roof, and the exposure of the elevated stage leave no doubt, the collapsed blocks of the stage building and fragments of its sculptural decoration additionally confirm the interpretation as an Odeion.
Odeia functioned demonstrably as the venue of musical contests (agone). The existence of such competitions within the context of the holy games in honour of Artemis is attested at Ephesos by corresponding victors’ inscriptions. Based on the results of the field research of 2011, the venue of the traditional musical contests is now known: the building formerly known as the ›Tribune‹ inside the Temenos can now be termed the Odeion in the Artemision.
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