MAGNA GRAECIA: 2 Doric temples found in ancient Greek city of Poseidonia-Paestum, Italy

Two ancient Doric temples were unearthed in the Ancient Greek city of Poseidonia, modern Paestum, south of Naples in southern Italy, known in antiquity as Magna Graecia (Greater Greece).

Poseidonia-Paestum has been the source of much intrigue for historians and archaeologists and was one of the major cities of Magna Graecia, the thriving group of ancient Greek cities of southern Italy dating back from the 8th century BC.

The discovery of the two ancient Doric temples only adds to this intrigue.

A Glimpse into History: The Discovery of the Temples

A stratigraphic excavation campaign is underway in the western part of Poseidonia-Paestum, near the city walls and a few hundred meters from the sea. This significant archaeological endeavour has brought two Doric-style Greek temples to light.

These sacred buildings allow for new insights into the origins and urban development of the Magna Graecia polis. They provide crucial data for understanding the evolution of Doric architecture in Poseidonia and Magna Graecia.

The first temple, initially intercepted in June 2019 and investigated from September 2022, dates back to the early decades of the 5th century BC. It stands unique in its architectural characteristics and dimensions, representing a singular entity in Doric temple architecture. Preserved are parts of the stylobate (column base) and the crepidoma (steps where the temple was built), measuring 11.60 x 7.60 m, with a peristasis of 4×6 columns.

Recent investigations reveal a more ancient story for the sanctuary. Within the temple structure, 14 fragmentary Doric capitals and other architectural materials have been repurposed beneath the peristasis, likely for ritualistic purposes.

These capitals are similar in size to those of the smaller temples explored so far. However, their typology is different, comparable to the capitals of the Temple of Hera I, also known as the “Basilica,” the oldest of Paestum's three major temples.

These exceptional findings suggest the presence of another temple, modest in size but with architectural features similar to those of the first great temples of Paestum, dating back to the 6th century BC.

For reasons yet to be determined, perhaps a collapse, this structure was replaced in the same area by a new temple at the beginning of the following century.

Beyond Architecture: Urban Layout of the Temple

The discovery's significance extends beyond architecture and the sanctuary's history; it considerably broadens our knowledge of the city's urban layout. Behind the temple, the collapse of the inner facing of the ancient city walls, which had partially destroyed the temple, has been dismantled.

Beneath this collapse, the route of a beaten road running parallel to the temple was discovered. Interestingly, it has a different orientation from the walls. This finding is extremely important as it documents that at the end of the 6th century BC, when the oldest temple was erected, the city of Poseidonia was not yet equipped with defensive walls.

During a period of significant growth of the polis, the colonists of Poseidonia built a sanctuary in a strategic location. It protected the urban space and was directly visible from the sea. The importance of this sacred space is confirmed by its complex building phases, which saw the construction of two Doric temples. Its uninterrupted use, spanning over half a millennium, marks a fundamental continuity of worship through the Greco-Lucanian and Roman eras.

The significance of the discovery

The archaeological site of Paestum, until now, was renowned for its three well-preserved Greek temples of Doric order, two of which are older than the Parthenon in Athens.

The first is the Temple of Hera, also known as the “Basilica,” the oldest.

Secondly, the Temple of Athena was built at the city's highest point.

Thirdly, the Temple of Poseidon is the best-preserved of the three.

All built between 550 and 450 BC by the settlers of Magna Graecia, these temples attract thousands of visitors yearly.

In Southern Italy, the two Ancient Greek Doric temples unearthed in the ancient Greek city of Poseidonia, now known as Paestum, have brought significant insights.

Found near the city's walls and a few hundred metres from the sea, these buildings provide new information about the origins and urban development of Magna Graecia. They offer critical data for understanding the evolution of Doric architecture in Poseidonia and ancient Greece.

Further excavation projects

The Italian Minister of Culture, Gennaro Sangiuliano, highlighted the importance of expanding on these discoveries. These discoveries highlight the ongoing potential for archaeological exploration and research in Paestum. The reopening of the National Archaeological Museum after significant refurbishment exemplifies these efforts.

The Italian ministry has also taken another ambitious initiative. “Elea: The Rebirth” exhibition is an initiative that provides interactive learning through an app. In other words, the app will provide the story and paths of the ancient Greek city of Elea. This app aims for an interactive learning experience for tourists and locals alike.

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