Greek Countryside

1) What do Alcock and Osborne�s introduction 122 – 123 say about archaeologists attitude towards the countryside? Why? How does Alcock point to the importance of the countryside (124)?

Archeologist believe that without the countryside and agriculture, people would have not been sophisticated civilizations like we know now. The countryside and the practice of agriculture helped human to advance their generations otherwise they would still be in a hunter and gatherer nomad populations. 

It is hard to find concrete evidences of ancient sites, statues and temples. Although many sources says that the pillars of Hercules are to be found at the entrance of the Strait of Gibraltar, it is almost impossible to accurately accurately identify where exactly both these pillars are. 

Many archaeological findings are coming from Pausanias' souces. But the problem with these is that he was somewhat investigating small clues that would lead him to something and the issue with that is if those cle were reliable or interpreted in the right way. 

Attica




P.134-135

What period starts of around 750 BCE? 

• The "Dark Age"

What changes occur at this time and how are they recorded archaeologically (evidence?)

• The collapse of the Mycenaean palaces.
• A decline in rural areas due to the lack of political activity.

 Finally, how is the tomb cult related to the development of this period?

The Heraion of Argos

            The Heraion of Argos is an ancient temple located in Argos, Greece. It was dedicated to the Goddess Hera and know for one of her favorite one. The temple was build during the Archaic age but was burned in 423 BCE. Later on in 416 BCE, it was rebuild and and still remain dedicated to the Goddess Hera. Around the 2nd century CE, the traveller Pausanias visited the temple. The term temenos is used for a piece of land that is dedicated to a god or Goddess.




Heraion of Delos (Another temple dedicated to Hera in Delos, Greece)