Archaeological site of Brauron
The Archaeological site of Brauron is one of the most ancient sanctuaries and is located at the east of the river Erasinos.
Modern and Contemporary era (1821 - )
1940 At the end of this decade, the site was excavated by the Greek Archaeological Society, under the responsibility of Ioannis Papadimitriou.
1960 In the mid of this decade, the arcade is restored.
Ottoman era (1453- 1821)
Byzantine era (331 AC- 1453)
Roman era (30 BC- 330 AC)
Hellenistic era (322- 31 BC)
In the 3rd century BC, the area was abandoned due to constant flooding and deterioration of the soil. However, the sanctity of the area was not lost, as proven by the early- Christian basilica, 500 metres before the sanctuary.
Classical era (478-323 BC)
480 BC After 480 BC the newer temple was built.
420 BC The stoa was constructed around that year.
Archaic era (800-479 BC)
Geometric era (-1100- 800 BC)
Prehistory (-1100 BC)
What I can see
One of the most ancient sanctuaries, the one of Artemis of Brauron (patroness of fertility and childbirth) and Iphigenia, is located at the estuary of the river Erasinos, at the Wetland of Brauron. The location explains why the site is often affected by floods. From the archaeological site, some restored ruins of the collonade, the temple and other architectural elements are preserved. After entering the site, on the right, there is a part of the Doric stoa, which had a Π shape and a square courtyard. The architecture of the building is brilliant, given the limited space. The columns had longer intervals between them than was customary. Of the temple of Artemis (Diana), only the shelf is preserved, that is the part of the temple from the ground till the bases of the columns. In the end, we find a bridge from the classical period, which crosses the sacred spring.
What I can't see
The area was first inhabited around 3500 BC. At the eastern side of the hill, was a Mycenaean cemetery (1200 BC), in which the first worship of a female deity was discovered, who was later fused with Artemis. The sanctuary dates back to the 8th century BC, but the peak is seen during the classical years, from which most buildings date, since the Persians had destroyed the earlier ones. The temple was Doric (about 20 x 10m.) and located at the highest point. It replaced an older archaic one, where the church of Agios Georgios now stands. To the east, there was an altar where the faithful gathered. Artemis was worshipped as “Kourotrophos” i.e. protector of newborns. When childbirth was successful, mothers dedicated their clothes to her. When a mother died in childbirth, her clothes were dedicated to Iphigenia, who was worshipped as a goddess of the underworld, due to her death there. The importance of the sanctuary is exemplified through the attention it received from political figures (Peisistratos, Miltiades, Kimon) and the sanctuary of the same name built on the Acropolis. Besides, the largest number of “arkti” (statues of young girls, servants of the temple) were found at the stoa. According to a legend, a bear was killed here by two brothers, because she had scratched their sister. In order to appease the goddess, mothers dedicated their young girls (5-10 years old) to Artemis and became “arkti” (= Bears), that lived in the temple and participated in religious procedures.
Bibliography
Skaraki V., (2012), Βραυρώνα, [Brauron], Odysseus, Ministry of Culture
http://odysseus.culture.gr/h/3/gh352.jsp?obj_id=2419
Last visit: 6/8/2015
Foka Ι., Valavanis P., (1994), Περίπατοι στην Αθήνα και την Αττική, τόποι, θεοί, μνημεία [Strolls in Athens and Attica, places, gods, monuments], Kedros
