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Deliciae Fictiles IVArchitectural Terracottas in Ancient Italy

Images of Gods, Monsters and Heroes

Proceedings of the International Conference held in Rome (Museo Nazionale Etrusco di Villa Giulia, Royal Netherlands Institute) and Syracuse (Museo Archeologico Regionale ‘Paolo Orsi’)

October 21-25, 2009

Edited byPatricia Lulof and Carlo Rescigno

Oxbow BooksOxford and Oakville

Acknowledgements ... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . i IntroductIon .... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . i i i

I IMAGES OF GODS, MONSTERS AND HEROES: ACROTERIA AND PEDIMENTAL DECORATIONS 1

1 GENERAL SUBJECTS 2

Fictilia tecta. Riflessioni storiche sull’arcaismo etrusco e romano – mArIo torellI . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Akroteria in ancient Italy: Images and Architectural Traditions – IngrId edlund-Berry ... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 The Late Archaic Miracle. Roof decoration in Central Italy between 510 and 450 B.C. – PAtrIcIA lulof ... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23

Gli altorilievi tardo arcaici tra Roma e Lazio – mArIe José strAzzullA .... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32 Amazons in pre-roman Italy. Symbols of a new era – sArAh wIllemsen .... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44

Sirens on the roof. Identification of terracotta bird-women in Central Italy – loes oPgenhAffen .... . . . . . . . . . 50

The evolution of bases for acroteria in Etruria and Latium (640/630-510 B.C.) – nAncy wInter ... . . . . . . . . . . . 62

Considerazioni sugli acroteri in forma di cavallo – AlIkI moustAkA .... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 69

Darstellungen der Nike in der etruskisch-italischen Baudekoration klassischer und hellenistischer zeit – rudolf känel ... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 74

An age without images: architectural decoration in the late republican period – BenJAmIn rous ... . . . . . . . . . 84

2 CENTRAL ITALY 95

Archaic Period

Gli dei sul tetto. Le basi acroteriali del tempio di Veio-Portonaccio: struttura e apparato decorativo – lAurA mArIA mIchettI .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 96

Gli dei sul tetto. Le basi acroteriali del tempio di Veio-Portonaccio: messa in opera e funzione – dAnIele federIco mArAs ... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 107

Il repertorio figurativo del ciclo acroteriale del tempio dell’Apollo a Veio-Portonaccio – clAudIA cArluccI .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 115

Le terrecotte architettoniche non a stampo di Cerveteri: nuovi e ‘vecchi’ ritrovamenti nella Vigna Parrocchiale – VIncenzo BellellI .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 128

TABLE OF CONTENTS

3

CONTENTS

Terrecotte acroteriali e frontonali di età arcaica da santuari di Cerveteri – mArIA AntonIettA rIzzo .... . . 138

Acroterio con scena di combattimento da Falerii al Museo di Villa Giulia – sIlVIA menIchellI .. . . . . . . . . . . . . 148

Terrecotte architettoniche da Guadocinto di Tuscania – AnnA mArIA morettI sguBInI -lAurA rIccIArdI .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 155

Ancora sull’acroterio dal santuario di Cannicella ad Orvieto: la ricomposizione – sImonettA stoPPonI ............................................................................................................... 164

La dea col tutulo dal tempio arcaico del Foro Boario – AnnA murA sommellA .... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 177

La decorazione plastica tardo arcaica del santuario di Sol Indiges-Lavinium – AlessAndro JAIA ... . . . . . . . . . 188

Santuario in loc. Le Salzare, Fosso dell’Incastro, Ardea (Roma). Il frontone del tempio tardo arcaico – letIzIA ceccArellI .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .194

Post Archaic Period

Un nuovo altorilievo di età ellenistica da Civitavecchia (Roma) loc. Scarti di Sant’Antonio – BArBArA BelellI mArchesInI - mArIA crIstInA BIellA ... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 202

Sull’acroterio da Fabrica di Roma conservato nel Museo di Civita Castellana – lAurA AmBrosInI .. . . . . . . . . 208

The winged horses on the Ara della Regina temple at Tarquinia – gIoVAnnA BAgnAsco gIAnnI ... . . . . . . . . . . . 222

Oreficerie sulle decorazioni figurate dei templi – AlessAndrA coen .... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 226

Altorilievi frontonali dall’arce minore di Vetulonia (appendice di P. Pallecchi) – sImonA rAfAnellI .. . . . . . . 236

Lastre di rivestimento ed altorilievi da Bevagna (Perugia), località Aisillo – mArIA romAnA PIcutI .. . . . . . . 243

Il grande tempio di Luni. Nuovi dati dal restauro del Frontone B – gIAndomenIco de tommAso - emAnuelA PArIBenI - elenA sorge ................................................................................................... 250

Architectural Terracottas from the ‘Sanctuary of the Dolphins’ on Monte Pallano (Abruzzo) – susAn kAne - mIchAel crAwford - sIlVAno AgostInI .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 258

Frammenti fittili plasmati a mano da Chieti-Civitella – dAnIelA lIBerAtore ... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 264

Terrecotte architettoniche dal territorio marchigiano: vecchie conoscenze e nuove questioni – mAurIzIo lAndolfI - mArIA elIsA mIchelI - AnnA sAntuccI .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 274

Santuario in loc. Le Salzare, Fosso dell’Incastro, Ardea (Roma). Il frontone del tempio tardo repubblicano – clAudIA rossI . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 287

3 CAMPANIA AND MAGNA GRAECIA 295

La decorazione del vano e del fastigio frontonale tra Cuma e Capua – cArlo rescIgno - VAlerIA sAmPAolo .... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 296

CONTENTS

Una ‘nuova’ antefissa capuana – elIAnA VollAro .... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 319

Cuma, un acroterio a disco con maschera di Gorgo. Dal ritrovamento all’ipotetica collocazione – mArtIne dewAIlly - PrIscIllA munzI sAntorIello ... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 322

La decorazione del fastigio frontonale nei modelli fittili di tempio da Teanum Sidicinum – frAncesco sIrAno .... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 331

Schildfragmente aus Pompeji – Peter dAnner ... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 338

Le decorazioni architettoniche di Fratte: vecchie e nuove acquisizioni – AngelA PontrAndolfo - AntonIA serrItellA - PorfIdIo mondA .... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 347

La sfinge di Torre di Satriano e il suo contesto architettonico – mAssImo osAnnA .... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 351

Acroteri e sistemi decorativi per tetti di età arcaica nel sito indigeno di Vaglio di Basilicata – gIoVAnnA greco .... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 359

Un tempio arcaico al Lacinio: elementi di una copertura fittile con figure plastiche dai recenti scavi sul promontorio di Capo Colonna di Crotone – gregorIo AVersA ... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 378

4 SICILY 388

Gorgoneia di lastre frontonali e di coppi maestri da Naxos di Sicilia – PAolA PelAgAttI - mArIA costAnzA lentInI .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 389

Terrecotte architettoniche e figurate nel Museo Paolo Orsi: osservazioni ed aggiornamenti – concettA cIurcInA .... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 407

The sanctuary to the west of the Santa Venera: a review – mArIA costAnzA lentInI - JArI PAkkAnen .... . . . 417

Il contributo della calcidese Leontini alla conoscenza dei rivestimenti sicelioti – gIusePPInA monterosso 426

Per una revisione delle terrecotte architettoniche di Gela – gIoVAnnA greco .... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 446

Terrecotte architettoniche dell’entroterra sicano – rosAlBA PAnVInI .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 456

Acroteri a Gela alla luce delle nuove acquisizioni – BIAncA ferrArA .... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 464

Gli acroteri nell’architettura arcaica di Selinunte. Elementi noti e nuove acquisizioni – mArIA clArA contI .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 477

Ἱμεραα ἐξαίρετα. Figure femminili sul tetto del tempio B – lAurA gAsPArrI .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 487

II AddItIons 503

1 centrAl ItAly 504

Young Apollo: a new reconstruction of an acroterial statue from Veii – nAncy wInter - PAtrIcIA lulof ... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 505

CONTENTS

Le terrecotte architettoniche dalla casa-torre di Veio-Piazza d’Armi: nuove acquisizioni – gIldA BArtolonI - sIlVIA ten kortenAAr - Iefke VAn kAmPen .... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Matrici di età ellenistica dal sito di Civita Musarna (Viterbo) – VIncent JolIVet - edwIge loVergne ... . . . . . . 514

Terrecotte architettoniche dalla colonia latina di Spoletium – VAlentInA BefAnI - lucA donnInI - chIArA mArIA mArchettI .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 517

Terrecotte architettoniche dall’acropoli di Populonia (LI). Le lastre di rivestimento dal Tempio C –frAncesco ghIzzAnI mArcìA ... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 523

2 MAGNA GRAECIA AND SICILY 527

I gocciolatoi a protome leonina di Kaulonìa: nuovi dati e vecchie questioni – nIcolA gIAccone ... . . . . . . . . . 528

Camarina. Nuove antefisse da recenti scavi: gorgoni e sileni – gIoVAnnI dI stefAno ........................... 532

Le terrecotte architettoniche di Monte San Mauro presso Caltagirone. Una proposta di revisione – VAlerIA PIrronello .... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 536

Frammenti di terrecotte architettoniche da Monte Altesina - Nicosia (EN) – cArmelA BonAnno .... . . . . . . . 539

Terrecotte architettoniche da Montagna di Marzo – AlessAndrA cAstorInA .... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 548

ABstrActs BIBlIogrAPhy 567

colour PlAtes

508

551

ARCHITECTURAL TERRACOTTAS FROM THE ‘SANCTUARY OF THE DOLPHINS’ ON MONTE PALLANO (ABRUZZO)

SuSan Kane, Michael crawford, Silvano agoStini*

Monte Pallano, a prominent natural feature visible from both the Sangro and Sinello river valleys, is located in the modern Abruzzo. It lies between the territories of several major Samnite tribes (the Pentri, Carricini, and Frentani) and was the possible seat of a small tribe of people, variously identified as the northern Lucanians, the ‘Lucanians of the Sangro’ or ‘Lucanates’.1 Its impressive monumental walls can be seen from a distance in the surrounding region.2 Traditionally considered to be a typical central Apennine mountain settlement – part of a widespread phenomenon that begins in the late 5th and 4th centuries BC in southern Italy – how Monte Pallano might have functioned is still the topic of considerable discussion.3 Since the 1970s, excavations by the Soprintendenza per i Beni Archeologici dell’ Abruzzo have shown evidence of pre- and proto-urbanisation on Monte Pallano, beginning in the fourth and third centuries BC.4 At the height of the site’s development in the late Republic – early Imperial periods, it may have been an oppidum and/or pagus centre with a public forum and sacred areas; in the later second century AD, abandonment of the area seems to have set in. The excavations by the Soprintendenza as well as recent work by the Sangro Valley Project have convincingly demonstrated that the strategically placed settlement of Monte Pallano and its surrounding sites were more dynamic participants in the larger historical processes of both Italy and the wider Adriatic region than previously thought.

The urban development on Monte Pallano, linked closely to the concurrent habitation of the surrounding countryside, seems also to have been accompanied by the emergence of a number of cult places, dedicated to as yet unknown divinities, on the slopes of the mountain. In five seasons of work (1999-2004), the Sangro Valley Project uncovered evidence for the temenos of one such sanctuary, while the excavations of the Soprintendenza have produced Hellenistic materials identifiable with cult activity, possibly from several others.5 Monte Pallano may have had cantonal sanctuaries or cultic places that served a number of communities as was the practice at other sites in central and south Italy, such as Roccagloriosa in Lucania.6

In an area near the main settlement site of Monte Pallano (now an archaeological park), the Sangro Valley Project excavated an area that underwent constant reuse and remodeling over a period of some 400 years (from the late third century BC through the late second century AD). These excavations revealed the existence of a sanctuary complex –the so-called ‘Sanctuary of the Dolphins’ – which may be stratigraphically dated to a period between the mid 2nd – early 1st centuries BC. The presence of a sanctuary is presumed by the large amount of architectonic debris, particularly terracotta revetments that once decorated a sacred building or buildings. These terracottas were reused as a terracing fill for the construction of a terrace wall of a late first century BC – early first century AD date belonging to a second phase of the area’s occupation. The area was subsequently rebuilt in the mid first century AD and then underwent another form of later occupation that continued into the later second century AD.7

Among the materials found during excavation of this area were architectural terracotta revetments, ceramics (including some small votive vessels), coins, glass, and small objects as well as plant and animal remains, much of what seems consistent with religious deposition. A small pit of burned material found in the area contained immature quinces and other fruits, possibly an offering to a chthonic deity.8 A C14 analysis of a charcoal sample taken from this deposit provided a date of 200 BC (+/-30 at 65%), which may represent the earliest religious activity on the site. The most remarkable finds from these excavations are a large number (657 catalogued pieces + debris) of architectural terracotta revetments of very high quality, some of the finest found to date in the Abruzzo. These include fragments from life and under life size hand modelled statuary (92 catalogued pieces), mould-made plaques (402 catalogued pieces) decorated with both figural and floral designs, as well as plaques decorated with dolphins (232 catalogued pieces), and miscellaneous fragments of other types of revetments (cresting, other frieze strips, and various architectonic fragments) that adorned a sanctuary’s building(s). Some of these revetment types appear unique and are currently without parallels.

259ARCHITECTURAL TERRACOTTAS FROM THE ‘SANCTUARY OF THE DOLPHINS’ ON MONTE PALLANO (ABRUZZO)

In comparison to other known second-first century BC terracotta revetment typologies in central and south Italy, the excavated terracottas do not appear to represent a complete decorative system for a building.9 No antefixes, for example, have been securely identified, nor lateral or pedimental simae, acroteria or any of the antepagmenta revetment plaques that are known from other sacred buildings in the region, such as Civitella di Chieti, Colle S. Giorgio, and Schiavi d’Abruzzo.10 As the terracing fill containing the terracottas was never fully excavated nor were the foundations of the building(s) once adorned by them ever located, it is remains impossible to determine exactly how the various types of revetment were used or on how many buildings or over what period of time. Given the variation in type, it seems likely that more than one building’s decoration is represented.

Why these architectural terracottas were used as packing fill in the late first century BC – early first century AD for another phase of terracing is uncertain, but it would seem that the sanctuary went out of use by that time and was not rebuilt. Its architectural terracottas were then reused as terrace fill, perhaps as ‘sacred rubbish’ – an activity perhaps due to the redevelopment or restoration of the area, as no evidence for a violent destruction was found.11

The architectural terracottas include fragments of near life-size figures (from pedimental decoration which became popular in the Hellenistic period in Italy) and under life-sized ones (which could have decorated frieze plaques and other areas of a building) – the latter include the legs of a small chubby boy, several fragments of leather straps from figures wearing a military cuirass,12 and limbs of varying sizes, mainly arms. The near life-

size category includes many fragments of hand –modelled drapery and body parts; in particular, two fragments – a female head and a foot (figs. 1 and 2) that are striking in their details and modelling. The quality of the workmanship is unusually fine. While their closest stylistic parallels are to Hellenistic (third and second century BC) sculpture from Magna Graecia and Asia Minor (especially Pergamon), examples in Italy of near comparable quality include the pediment from Via di San Gregorio in Rome13, a male head from a temple pediment dated to the mid 2nd century BC in Vetulonia14 and two terracotta heads from the Sanctuary of Monte Rinaldo.15

Over 50% of the fragments excavated from the deposit belong to mould-made revetment plaques of varying designs. These plaques typically have a large main field devoted to either figured or floral decoration and are edged on the top and bottom with an ovolo or cyma reversa moulding or a palmette border. Most were pierced with nail holes for attachment, but some of the smaller types may have been attached by mortar.

The largest number of revetment plaques (232 catalogued pieces) are decorated with a pair of dolphins confronting a central floral ornament (figs. 3, 4).16 This unusual and lovely representation has strong links with the iconography and artistic styles of Hellenistic Greece and Magna Graecia, but currently only one close parallel – a fragment of a plaque (of cruder style) with part of a dolphin that was discovered in a later Roman context at the nearby Middle Sangro Valley temple site of Quadri in 2008.17 The dolphin is a resonant symbol in ancient art and literature that can be linked to a number of deities who might have been worshipped on Monte Pallano, in particular Mefitis or Hercules.18 The

Fig. 1. Fragment of a life-size terracotta female head (MP 2001: 2030). Fig. 2. Fragment of a near life-size foot (MP 2001: 2033).

260 SUSAN KANE, MICHAEL CRAWFORD, SILVANO AGOSTINI

imagery of dolphins confronting a floral ornament – an iconography perhaps linking mountain and sea as well as this world to the next – is a potent cultural symbol, one perhaps reflective of the aspirations of the Samnite patrons who commissioned the building.

In addition to the dolphin plaque, there are several other types of revetment plaques, decorated with high-relief floral ornaments, acanthus sprays, or hand-modelled figures, that share stylistic parallels with other second century BC terracotta plaques from the region, such as those at the sites of Colle S. Giorgio, Civitella di Chieti, and Schiavi d’Abruzzo as well as Pompeii and Taras (Taranto) in Magna Graecia.19

An unusual group of fragments belong to an elaborate type of arcuated cresting, pierced with nail holes for attachment, which is currently without stylistic parallel (fig. 5). The function of this cresting is unknown, it might have served as a filler between the sima tiles and the ‘cortine pendule’ of the roof as the upper part of each section is stepped back to receive something else that was placed on top of it.20 The cresting is decorated with a repetitive series of arches separated by palmettes. Each section (c 0.24 cm high x 0.28 cm wide) has an arch and one half of a palmette (which forms a whole motif via the adjoining section). The arches end in pilasters (similarly bisected like the palmettes) which terminate in a baluster-like form. However, there are

some fragments that preserve a non-bisected pilaster or palmette so evidently there were two variants of this cresting plaque. The underside of six of the non-bisected pilasters are inscribed on their bottom edge with a single letter, or in one case two letters that were incised before firing. (fig. 6) As suggested by Michael Crawford, these newly discovered letters from Monte Pallano may offer evidence for the name of an artist and perhaps the existence of a bilingual workshop in the area in the mid – late second century BC. His epigraphic report (Appendix I) may be found at the end of this article.

The deposit also contained other types of architectural revetment that may belong to different buildings or roofing systems. These include a small number of flat, narrow bands decorated with rosettes, several pieces of a possible strigillated sima or triglyph frieze, and other miscellaneous fragments of what appear to be very crude handmade mouldings as well as other architectonic fragments (a small colonette and one possible fragment of an Ionic (?) capital). Some cocciopesto flooring and possible fragments of a podium moulding were also found in the debris. It is unusual that no antefixes have positively been identified, but there is one wing fragment that recalls the wings seen on potnia theron antefixes.21 The fabric of these revetments varies in color and texture, but a thin-section analysis of a representative sample (59) of the fragments shows that all clays are local, so the revetments were probably made on site. The

Fig. 3. Dolphin plaque fragments (MP 2002).Fig. 4. Photomosaic of Dolphin plaque (approximate size: H: 31 cm, L: 38 cm, Th: 2,5 cm).

261ARCHITECTURAL TERRACOTTAS FROM THE ‘SANCTUARY OF THE DOLPHINS’ ON MONTE PALLANO (ABRUZZO)

preliminary results of these analyses by Silvano Agostini may be found in Appendix II at the end of this article.

The Etrusco-Italic temple building type and its accompanying terracotta decoration became popular in the Samnium from the second century BC onwards under the influence of the Romans.22 This period was the ‘age of sanctuaries in Samnium’ when the building or rebuilding of many local sanctuaries provided local elites an opportunity to manifest their status via such euergetism.23

The ‘Sanctuary of the Dolphins’ on Monte Pallano may be placed within a group of rural sanctuaries that flourished in Samnium in the 3rd and 2nd centuries BC, largely through such prestige-driven aristocratic benefaction.24 Torelli has observed that the style and decoration of the buildings in these sanctuaries may reflect the social nuances of romanization/resistance that were increasingly evident in Samnium at this time: ‘this wave of cultural resistance is dressed up, as is to be expected from the ruled, in the clothes of their rulers, and makes use of traditional Roman architectural models more or less disguised by the Hellenistic nouvelle vague, models which are persistently associated with prestige.’25 But how the processes of Romanization or resistance can be factored into the Monte Pallano story is still a matter of ongoing debate. Strazzulla’s recent reading of the use of architectural terracottas in Central Italy offers a nuanced observation pertinent to the study of this region, especially in the 2nd century BC, a time of great ideological and political tension.26 Different Samnite tribes appear to have favored different combinations of architectural terracottas in their building schemes and the decorative elements on many of these terracottas show strong and direct stylistic influence from the Hellenistic East.27 The Monte Pallano architectural terracottas reflect this

regional eclecticism. This is especially evident in the iconography of the dolphin plaques, which exemplify the high degree of cultural expression that Samnite nobles of the period were able to achieve.28

The second century BC in Samnium was also a time when nostalgia flourished and local traditions were revived.29 Could the ‘Sanctuary of the Dolphins’ reflect the area’s wish to recall a former Lucanian connection? The iconography and style of the Monte Pallano dolphin plaques can be linked most closely with Magna Graecia and southern Italy, the land of the Lucanians. And in Lucania, the chthonic goddess Mefitis was worshipped, most notably as Mefitis Utiana in the Sanctuary at Rossano di Vaglio, where a bronze plaque of a female goddess riding on a dolphin has been found.30 A burnt deposit containing immature quince found in the Monte Pallano sanctuary area may be evidence for the worship of a chthonic female deity.31 Was the deity worshipped here Mefitis Utiana? Perhaps not coincidently scholars have noted, the name ‘Utii’ (the gens Utia of Lucanian origins?) is attested in the imperial period in the area of Monte Pallano, on an inscription found in nearby Atessa.32 Certainly Mefitis would be an appropriate deity to worship in this area of the Abruzzo on other grounds as well. Her sacred places are typically near places of water (there are springs nearby on Monte Pallano) and they often correspond with transhumance routes (Monte Pallano was on such a route).33 Strazzulla also notes that in Samnium the iconography used on architectural terracotta decoration is more often directly linked to a specific deity or cult than is the case elsewhere in Italy, a regional practice that strengthens the idea that the dolphin plaques of Monte Pallano could be associated with a particular deity such as Mefitis.34

The ‘Sanctuary of the Dolphins’ on Monte Pallano and its striking architectural terracotta revetments,

Fig. 5. Cresting fragments (MP 2001). Fig. 6. Letters on cresting fragments.

262 SUSAN KANE, MICHAEL CRAWFORD, SILVANO AGOSTINI

stylistically reflective of the Italico-Hellenistic koine of second century BC, offer a glimpse of the pretentions and aims of the local elite who commissioned it. While research is ongoing, these new discoveries are revealing how the ‘Sanctuary of the Dolphins’ of Monte Pallano might have served to foster a sense of cultural identity for the people of its territory.

aPPendiX iePigraPhic rePortMichael Crawford

Catalogue of letters– ArchT 1918 (2001:1918)Unit 8200. Context 8203. l. 110 mm w. 38 mm th. 34 mm. weight 184 gr. Balustrade motif base with partially preserved letter on underside, which can only be an Oscan l.– ArchT 2215 (2002:2215)Unit 8700. Context 8705. l. 32 mm. w. 29 mm. weight 27 gr. Broken balustrade motif base with partially preserved letter on underside, which can only be a Latin p.– ArchT 2317 (2002:2317)Unit 8250. Context 8258. l. 80 mm. w. 34 mm. weight 138 gr. Balustrade motif base with two letters on underside, Oscan úv.– ArchT 2586 (2003:2586)Unit 8250. Context 8261. l. 79 mm. w. 31 mm. Balustrade motif base with letter on underside, Oscan m.– ArchT 2593 (2003:2593)Unit 8700. Context 8712. l. 117 mm. w. 53 mm. Balustrade motif base with letter on underside, Latin letter f.– ArchT 2595 (2003:2595)Unit 8250. Context 8258. l.167 mm. w. 88 mm. Balustrade motif base with letter on underside, Latin b.

If one supposes that the letters were always incised looking in the same direction, what we have is úv, l, and m, all in the Oscan alphabet, right to left, b, p, and f, all in the Latin alphabet, left to right. The order in which the letters have just been listed is not innocent: it is almost impossible not to see úv as the standard abbreviation of the Oscan praenomen úv(is), Latin Ouius, and the Oscan letters therefore as forming a name, presumably of one of the artisans; the Latin letters could then form a name ending in P.f(ilius). Both names, complete with filiation, could be completed with say half-a-dozen more letters each.Two possible parallels, for different aspects of the discovery, come to mind.

(1) At Pietrabbondante, on 27/10/1870, ‘un frammento di ornato con la lettera M. mill. 140’ was discovered, alas not now traceable (M. Ruggiero, Degli scavi di antichità nelle provincie di terraferma dell’antico regno di Napoli dal 1743 al 1876 (Naples 1888) 660 = M.H. Crawford (ed.), Imagines Italicae (London forthcoming) Teruentum 7); and in 1962 likewise at Pietrabbondante, a fragment of a cornice with Lesbian cyma, perhaps part of the revetment of the slope of the pediment of Temple B, was found, bearing incised before firing on the horizontal top surface the Oscan letter l (Imagines Italicae, Teruentum 13); and Professor A. La Regina has kindly informed us that at Pietrabbondante in 2007 three architectural terracottas with incised letters were found. The evidence, however, is insufficient to enable us to decide whether any of these letters went to form names or series to aid in fitting the terracottas to the roof.(2) The other parallel that comes to mind is that of the famous bilingual tile from Pietrabbondante, probably but not certainly, inscribed in Oscan and in Latin by the same person (Imagines Italicae, Teruentum 25). In our case the letter forms are relevant: the Oscan letter forms are standard for the second century BC; the rectangular Latin p would in a metropolitan context have looked archaic by 150 BC, as would the angular Latin b; but both the rectangularity and the angularity respectively would be at home in Oscan lettering. If we do indeed have two artisans, one Oscan-using, one Latin-using, it may be that the name of the latter was dictated for incising to someone more familiar with the Oscan than the Latin alphabet.

APPENDIX IIPRELIMINARY RESULTS OF AN ARCHAEOMETRIC STUDYSilvano Agostini

Thin section analyses (mineralogical and petrographic) were carried out on samples taken from fifty-nine of the architectural terracottas (fig. 7). Data relative to the technology aspects (TA) (combination of both cultural and environmental) were compared and tabulated in a standard database, an analytical protocol of the Geological and Palaeontological SBAA35 Survey.

A statistical analysis (through hierarchical clustering) was carried out on the dataset of samples to distinguish the different pastes. For this analysis, ten variables were considered: minerals (M), sedimentary

263ARCHITECTURAL TERRACOTTAS FROM THE ‘SANCTUARY OF THE DOLPHINS’ ON MONTE PALLANO (ABRUZZO)

rocks fragments (SRF), igneous rocks fragments (IRF), morphology of M, SRF and IRF, chamotte or others (i.e. fossils) if present, petrofabric typology, paste typology (TA-PT), percentage of temper, paste section type (TA-PST) oriented perpendicular to outer surfaces, colour/colours on thin section with parallel nichols view.

The results of the study highlighted the following features:The minerals and petrographic components (M, SRF, IRF) in the paste is similar for all samples.

There are two different kinds and their difference is due to the technological typology and the different degree of stylistic refinements.

The temper volume percentage ranged between 15% to 30% in all the two groups.

The preliminary results of this investigation are promising enough to encourage future research with acquisition of new and different analytical data (XRD, X-ray fluorescence, chemical), from a larger number of samples from other archaeological sites in the Monte Pallano area.

* Susan Kane, Oberlin College, Ohio; susan.kane@oberlin.edu.Michael Crawford, University College London.Silvano Agostini, Soprintendenza per i Beni Archeologici dell’Abruzzo.1 Colonna 1955; FauStoferri 2003.

2 BiSPhaM et al. 2000.3 La regina 1978; FauStoferri et al. 1998; OaKley 1995.4 FauStoferri et al. 2005.5 I luoghi degli Dei 1997; Lloyd et al. 1997; FauStoferri et al. 1998.6 Fracchia - gualtieri 1989.7 Cfr. preliminary reports on www.sangro.org.8 Personal communication from Marina Ciaraldi the paleoethnobotanist who studied the sample from MP 8909 in 2002. 9 Andrén 1939-1940, CXVI; Strazzulla 1981.10 I luoghi degli Dei 1997; Iaculli 1993a.11 GliniSter 2000.12 Dei di terracotta 2002, 82, 153.13 Dei di terracotta 2002.14 Paper given here by S. Rafanelli.15 Mercando 1976.16 Kane 2006 and 2008.17 Unpublished, but shown in a paper given by M. Strazzulla and D. Liberatore at the conference Iuvanum tra Sangro e Aventino (Montenerodomo, 30-31 May 2008).18 StebbinS 1929; Kane 2006.19 Compare examples of other floral and figurative plaques in the Abruzzo: I luoghi degli Dei 1997, Civitella-Chieti, 50-53 and Schiavi d’Abruzzo, 83-84; iaculli 1993a; as well as Pompeii: Menotti de lucia 1990; and South Italy: bernabò brea 1952; carter 1970.20 Adele Campanelli suggested this to Michael Crawford in a personal communication.21 Compare the wings on the potnia theron antefixes from Civitella - Chieti: I luoghi degli Dei 1997, 48-49.22 Strazzulla 1981, 193-194; Strazzulla 2006b.23 biSPhaM 2007, 204-206.24 lloyd 1991; gualtieri 1993; fracchia - gualtieri 1989; torelli 1977; edlund berry 2006; la regina 1976; Morel 1976.25 torelli 1999, 127-130.26 Strazzulla 2006b, 30.27 Strazzulla 2006b, 30-39.28 dench 1995, 3 and 218-219.29 torelli 1999, 141-145; dench 1995.30 adaMeSteanu 1990 and 1992; torelli 1990; de cazanove 2000.31 Supra n. 8.32 CIL iX 277 . n. 2975; torelli 1990, 83; fauStoferri et al. 2005.33 edlund berry 2006, 178; Mele 2008.34 Strazzulla 2006b, 38-39.35 Sbaa - Soprintendenza per i Beni Archeologici dell’ Abruzzo.

Fig. 7. Dendogram of terracotta analyses.