Rain uncovers bull idol at ancient Olympia [View all]
‘Chance discovery’ near the temple of Zeus was probably used as votive offering, Greek ministry says
Agence France-Presse
Fri 19 Mar 2021 10.39 EDT
A bronze bull idol unearthed at the archaeological site of Olympia in Greece. Photograph: Greek Ministry of Culture/Reuters
Rain has helped uncover a small bull idol at ancient Olympia in what the Greek culture ministry said on Friday was a “chance discovery”.
It said the bronze idol, found intact, was spotted by an archaeologist at the sprawling ancient site that inspired the modern Olympic Games during a scheduled visit by ministry officials.
It was found near the temple of Zeus and the Altis, the sacred enclosure and core of the sanctuary, the ministry said. “One of its horns was poking out of the ground following recent heavy rainfall.”
In a preliminary evaluation, the idol has been dated to the Geometric period, about 1050-700BC. Burn marks suggest it was one of thousands of votive offerings to Zeus, the leading ancient Greek deity, the ministry said.
The ancient Olympics were held in Olympia every four years from 776BC to at least AD393, with Greek city-states setting aside their conflicts to take part.
https://www.theguardian.com/science/2021/mar/19/rain-uncovers-bull-idol-at-ancient-olympia
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Earliest game.
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