Votive-terracottas from Policoro and S. Maria d´ Anglona

This project will deal with the terracotta figurines of the sanctuary of Demeter at ancient Siris/Heraclea in Lucania and the ones of the sanctuary of Demeter and Artemis Bendis at S. Maria d`Anglona, situated in the outer limits of the Heraclean chora. The project`s main goal will be the publication of these terracotta figurines of the two sanctuaries. The terracottas from the sanctuary of Siris/Heraclea date from the late 7th century B.C. up to the Roman period. Nevertheless, the Heraclea-terrecottas belong from the late 5th century B.C. on to Tarentine coroplastic art - like the terracottas from Anglona dating between 360/50 B.C. and 280/79 B.C. The project`s second goal will be the elaboration of a catalogue of Heraclean-Tarentine votive-terracottas. This catalogue will function as an excellent basis for future studies about Tarentine votive-terracottas. Research within the project will focus on different aspects: As far as cultic questions are concerned, we will investigate the cultic links between Demeter and the divinities that were venerated together with her, as well as the cultic links between these other gods. Studying votive-practices, the practice of deposition and the finding spots of the figurines will help to find out about cult-practice, dedicators and ritual function of the votives. We will also confront the two sanctuaries in order to define cult-variations between the two. In this step the importance of the Anglona-sanctuary as an extra-urban cult-place and due to being situated on the intersection to the indigenous world will be of great significance. The stylistic analysis shall define a local, siris-own style of the terracottas of the 6th century B.C.. Furthermore probably influences from indigenous style (for example from the indigenous center Timmari) into the greek Heraclean terracottas will be proofed. Technical studies about the combination of part-moulds for creation of type-versions will allow to elaborate memberships of workshops and relativ-cronological type-series. As fare as the date of the Heraclean terracottas is concerned the short existence of the sanctuary of Anglona - its chronological corner-dates are well fixed - helps to date the Heraclean terracottas. Further points to be studied are: Were the terracottas of Anglona produced in Heraclea or rather produced and/or sold in a site near Anglona? And does Heraclea have to be defined an important center of coroplastic production that was independent from Taranto?