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Didyma

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Didyma
Type:
 Sanctuary
Altitude:
 m
Region:
 Aegean
Province:
 Aydin
District:
 Didim
Village:
 Merkez
Investigation Method:
 Excavation
Period:
 Roman Hellenistic Classical Archaic

     

Location: Prophecy Center of Didyma lies north of the Didim District, 16.4 km south of Miletus. Recently renamed as Didim, it was previously known as Yeronda (sacred precint) by the Greek people living in this region until it was named as Yenihisar in 1923 [Akurgal 2000:382-385]. The sanctuary and the other buildings remained within the modern settlement.
Geography and Environment: Although the Oracle Center is surrounded by a plain ground, Didymaion was built in a depressed area. There was a spring (believed to have been sacred) in this area, which probably played a role in establishing Didymaion here [Akurgal 2000:382-385].
History: According to Pausanias; oracle in Didyma was present before the arrival of Ionian immigrants [Pausanias 7; 2; 6]. Some traces of foundations uncovered during the excavations revealed that they belonged to a temenos dating to the 8th-7th centuries BC. The temenos includes an altar; an oracle well and Apollon's laurel tree. It has been found out that the sanctuary area was enlarged by a row of columns erected on the southwestern edge of today's Hellenistic Temple at the end of the 7th century BC. The oldest inscriptions found in Didyma date back to 600 BC. The sanctuary area was under the management of Branchidae family; known to be originating from Delphi; during the Archaic Period. In the mid-6th century; when the Lydian King; Croesus; decided to fight with the Persians; he wanted to consult an oracle. But before doing that; he made an instant trial of reowned oracles of the time. Even tough Didyma failed; the King Croesus behaved friendly to the Branchidae family; and presented valuable gifts to Apollo [Herodotus 1; 92]. According to Herodotus; when the rival of Ionia against the Persians in 494 BC failed; Darius destroyed the city [Herodotus 6; 19]. However; Strabo and Pausanias relate the same event with Xerxes who returned from his expedition to Greece in 479 BC. Based on this; the family of Branchidae not only surrendered the temple and its treasury to the Persian King without any resistance; but also went to Persia and settled down near Sogdinia [Strabo 14; 1; 5]. Little is known about the 5th and 4th centuries BC. The oracle center; which was most probably reconsecrated by the arrival of Alexander the Great; announced that Alexander the Great was the son of Zeus; and would have a victory in Gaugamela. The construction of the temple was initiated around 300 BC by Seleucus. During that period; Seleucus I returned the statue of Apollo; which was previously carried away to Ectabana by the Persians. An inscription from 277 BC gives the list of what survived after the war; which in fact refers to the attacks by Galats at 278 BC; and according to the inscription the sanctuary was severely destroyed. Thereafter; Milesians attemped to complete the construction for the next two hundred centuries; however it was never completed [Bean 2001:215]. The sanctuary was attacked by pirates in 70 B.C. [Bean 2001:212-215]. In 100 AD; Traianus paid for expenses of an approximately 17.7 km long road running from Miletos to Didyma. According to Dia from Prusias; it is because the oracle in Didyma reported to him that he would become an emperor one day. Traianus accepted his appoinment as a prophet; i.e.; spokesman; honoring the sanctuary. Afterwards; Didyma went through a prosperous period by the supports received from the Roman emperors until the reign of Marcus Aurelius. The majority of the oracle inscriptions uncovered are dated to this period. The regression which started in the 3rd century AD; ended up with the sanctuary being converted into a fortress due to the threats by Goths in 262 AD. According to a inscription; people ran out water; being enclosed inside the temple; and therefore Apollo gave out a spring well at the sanctuary; which is most probably the sacred spring inside the naiskos. The temple was built here as the spring was here. Again; in following years it is known that the spring was rehabilitated by the order of the proconsul. With the fast recognition of Christianity; the future of the oracle had been threatened. Some emperors like Diocletianus and Iulianus Apostata defended the polytheism; and subsequently the oracle sites. However; oracle was banned by an edict of the Emperor Theodosius; implying severe punishments for the ones who have continued to give oracles. During the Byzantine Period; a church was erected inside the temple [Bean 2001:216-218].
Research and Excavation: The Chandler's visit at the beginning of the 19th century was followed by Turner in 1816; and then by Laborde in 1826. At the beginning of the 20th century Baedeker carried out some investigations in the sanctuary [Madran 1989:228-229; 233]. Excavations at Didyma started again in 1895 and 1896 under the direction of B. Haussoullier and E. Pontremoli. The first systematic excavations was conducted by T. Wiegand in 1905. Except for a short interval (1924-26) that H. Knackfuss led the excavations, until 1937 T. Wiegand remained as the site director. Since 1962, excavations at Didyma continued under the direction of K. Tucheld, A. Filges, A. Furtwangler, M. Samur. Reconstruction work on the archaic sacred area topography in addition to the altar preservation precautions, soundings in the south of the altar and restorations were the main focus of the campaign [Furtwaengler 2009:267-284]. After M. Samur, A. Furtwangler and H. Bumke took over the excavations. The site is listed in the registered archaeological preservation zones inventory prepared by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism.
Stratigraphy: Following the convincing results of the excavations performed between 2004 and 2006 the Excavation Administration decided to resume researches on the stratification on the skirts of the seven layers below south Didymaion [Furtwaengler 2009:267-284].
Small Finds:
Remains: The Didyma Sanctuary was; in fact; a sanctuary of Miletus; located within the territorium of Miletus. The owner of the temple was among the leading officials of Miletus [Bean 2001:211]. It was found that Artemis; Zeus and Leto were also worhipped other than the Apollo cult; and there was a settlement in the vicinity of the sanctuary. And; there were several public buildings other than the religious ones as well as structures such as prytaneion; gymnasium; basilica and bath [Fontenrose 1988:44]. Stadium: The stairs; uncovered to the south of the Temple of Apollo; where the southern terrace wall ends belong to a stadium. The southern stairs of the temple platform form the northern seating rows of the stadium. The names of the persons observed in many of the seats were probably inscribed between 100 BC and 100 AD The area in the middle is approximately 15 m wide. Presumably ceremonies related with the sanctuary were held here [Fontenrose 1988:42; Akurgal 1995:385; Bean 2001:222]. Bath: It is located next to the Sacred Way and dated to the Roman Period [Bean 2001:224]. Temple/Sanctuary: Sacred Way: The Sacred Way running from the ancient city of Miletus; extends southward for 3.5 km after Panormos; the port of Didyma; and ends up at the entrance of the Temple of Apollo passing through the gate of the Didyma temenos. The overall lenght of this stone-paved road is approximately 20 km; with a width ranging from 6 to 7 m. Before Didyma; there are two buildings on a temenos near the sacred way; which are called the "Anta Building" and the "Eastern Building" [Tuchelt 1991:42-44]. Seated sculptures dating to the 6th century BC were found lined on the sacred way; some with inscriptions. They were carried away to England in 1858 by Newton. Some are preserved at the Archaeology Museum of Istanbul. Also found are torso fragments of six sphinxes [Akurgal 1995:382; Bean 2001:213]. The surveys initiated in 2008 have continued in 2009. It is known that the modern road crosses the terrace of the Holy Road at the middle, 100 m Northeast of the corner column of late Didymaion. A thick layer is encountered containing material from Hellenistic and Early Roman Periods and (based on the road layering) Traianus Period after removing 1.75 of deep soil where modern findings are mixed on the Southern part of HSC trench. And a male grave is encountered covered with tiles with different baking qualities in the saddleback roof form in the West from Late 5th and 6th Centuries BC. This grave is in the West side of the road near the field. During the Roman Period elevation of the floors, materials are completely covered up including in situ Apatourios round base, destructed votive materials, foundations and stands. These materials were located on the pressurized Archaic and Hellenistic Period walk path showing evident marks of rituals in the North end of the region. The ceremonial field (road) is between 2.55 and 2.89 m deep on a rigid, pressurized thin layer (0.10-0.020 m thick) consisting of debris from Archaic Period. A heavily destructed piece of sculpture made of soft limestone blocks is located on the North end of HSA trench. The piece is rectangular, 0.62 m by 0.64 m thick on the sides, and 0.79 m high. It is overturned during the Roman Period to avoid disrupting the "new" Traianus Period Road base. The statue reflects the "Brankhid-typed" sitting women statues from Mature Archaic Period which are encountered occasionally. This artefact is possibly from 7th Century BC which makes it as the earliest sample. Under the circumstances this very early sitting figurine was known during Hellenistic Period and must have been positioned at the end of Sacred Road (besides the Apatourios Base) to make sure all visitors understand that the Sacred Area has a long history [Furtwängler 2011: 28-30]. Approximately 300 m north of the Temple of Apollo; remains from a gate; probably arched; were found at the junction point where the sacred way reaches to the Didymian tenemos. This must be the gate added during the renovations by Traianus in 100 AD It is likely that there should have been a gate during the earlier periods. The Molpoi inscriptions refer to the gates of Didyma in the 5th century BC However; they might be the entrance gates of the Temple of Apollo. Stretching toward the southeast for about 200 m after entering the temenos; the way makes a curve eastward 150 m before reaching the temple. The width is approximately 5 m at this section. The excavations revealed that the earliest phase of the sacred way goes back to the Archaic Period; and it was repaired. During this period; a columned gallery and a series of chambers opening to it were added to the western side of the way. They might be store houses or shops and they open into the sanctuary area of Artemis behind as well. The buildings on the eastern side are from the Hellenistic Period. Within the borders of the temenos; there were temples; a village; a sacred grove; altars; sculptures; public buildings; shops; baths; columned galleries and exedras. There was a sacred grove to the immediate west; northwest and southwest of the Temple of Apollo. No remains were observed here. The village is located between the temple and the gate of temenos to the west of the forest. It is unknown for how long the temenos extends to the south of Didymaion [Fontenrose 1988:29-31]. Temple of Apollo: The archaic temple was built during the second half of the 6th century BC With its main facade facing east; it has a dipteral plan in Ionic order [Fontenrose 1988:31]. The exact dimensions are unknown. According to Gruben; the crepidoma is 89 m long while Tuchelt reports that it is 72 m long. The same discrepancy is valid for the interior plan; number and height of columns. Gruben suggests that the number of columns was 21; 8 and 9 on sides; front and back; respectively while Tuchelt indicated that they were 17; 8 and 9; respectively. For Gruben; the height of the columns is 15.5 m. Poros stone was used for construction. However; the visible areas are of marble. It is similar to the Temple of Artemis in Ephesus and the Temple of Hera in Samos in this respect. The passageway from pronaos to naos is through a door to the west. The overall lenght of the naos is considered to be around 59 m. The top of the naos; rising on a platform with two crepis; is open. Some traces of foundations are detectable [Fontenrose 1988:32]. As it was in the Hellenistic Didymaion; it is suggested that there was a room between the pronaos and naos; with no passage from the pronaos. It is believed that this room should have been larger than in the Hellenistic Temple. Fehr suggests that there was a room with two columns in the middle in the area between the pronaos and naos; and another (mezzanine) one with two central columns to the west. There is a hall between these two rooms. As in the Hellenistic Temple; there are vaulted corridors to the north and south; extending from pronaos to the naos. The mezzanine room is accessible from a 9-stepped stairs from the naos. A door allows the passage from the hall after the mezzanine room to the mid-room. To the north and south of the hall there are stairs going up to the upper rooms. Fehr places a total of 108 columns; 21 on the flanks of the dipteral plan and 10 each on front and back. Although Fontenrose accepts that the restitution by Fehr may be more realistic; he states that the arrangement between the proanos and naos is still an estimate [Fontenrose 1988:33-34]. To the west of the naos lies a naiskos measuring 5 x 15 m including a cult statue; which was made by Canachus who lived in 500s BC It is known that he was holding a deer in his right hand and arrow in his left hand. Made in bronze; the statue was depicted inside a tetrastyle temple on a coin from the 3rd century AD Tuchelt defined the naiskos as "Sacred Spring House" and suggested that the cult statue was not located here [Tuchelt 1986:33-50]. According to Gruben and Fehr; the naiskos was built at the same time with the archaic temple; after 550 BC while Drerup and Tuchelt date it to 575 BC as the naiskos was not parallel to the walls of the original temple. The lower part of the pronaos columns are decorated with reliefs like the Temple of Artemis in Ephesus. It is dated back to 550 BC The winged gorgos and frieze of lion on the architrave should have been made at the end of the 6th century BC [Akurgal 1995:383]. Altar: To the east of the temple lies a rounded ash altar measuring approximately 8 m in diameter; surrounded by a lower wall. The altar was built in the mid-axis of the two columns in the naiskos. On the eastern and western sides; there are apertures for doors. Pausanias refers to this altar at 5; 13; 11. The excavations revealed astragals or votives; potsherds and charred bone fragments from the 7th-6th centuries BC It is suggested that the mass covered by lames next to the Apollo statue by Canachus in the relief dating to the 2nd century BC in the theater of Miletus; refers to the ash altar in Didyma [Fontenrose 1988:41]. It is suggested that the votives and material dedicated to the god were located on the terrace built by a roughly spring-like wall to the east of the altar. The terrace wall dating to the Archaic Period is approximately 125 m long. Fragments of votive statues and bases as well as two galleries were found on the terrace [Akurgal 1995:383-384; Fontenrose 1988:34; 42]. The construction of the Hellenistic Temple was initiated by the Milesians from 330 BC The Hellenistic Temple was erected in almost the same plan; but of a greater dimension than the Archaic Temple. It is the third largest temple with an Ionic order after Hera in Samos and Artemis in Ephesus. With a dimension of 118x60 m; it has a dipteral plan. There are 10 columns on the shorter side while 21 columns on the longer ones. It is of the decastyle as there are 10 columns on the shorter sides. Furthermore; there are 12 more columns in the pronaos; which makes an overall number of 120 columns. The columnar height is 19.7 m [Fontenrose 1988:33-35]. For construction; marble and limestone were in the temple [Fontenrose 1988:40]. The architects of the temple were Paeonius of Ephesus; one of the architects of the Temple of Artemis in Ephesus; and Daphnis of Miletus [Akurgal 1995:384-385]. The crepidoma consists of seven steep stairs. Curvature was applied in stylobatae [Bean 2001:215-216]. The temple is accessed through 13 stairs to the east. It consists of a pronaos; a room between pronaos and naos; and a naos. Four rows of 12 columns in the pronaos of 14x15 m extend in the east-west direction; and forms five naves. A door piercing the pronaos to the west allows passage to an intermediary space called "the Eastern Room". However; it is unlikely it functioned as an entrance because the threshold of the door was 1.5 m high. The Eastern Room including two Corinthian columns measures 15x8 m. The top of the trithyron to the west of the Eastern Room is decorated with leaves. It is known that Ptolemaios XII in 54 BC and Ptolemaios XIII in 41 BC sent ivory of 20 talent weighing 20 mina to decorate the gates [Fontenrose 1988:35-37]. The Eastern Room is flanked by upstairs. The ceiling is decorated with meander motifs. According to Haussoullier; these stairs served as a connection to the upper rooms while Knackfuss proposed that these stairs were probably leading to a terrace on the roof [Fontenrose 1988:38]. The three gates to the west of the Eastern Room and following monumental stairs served to descend to the naos; which was also accesible through the corridors covered by barrel vaults descending from the doors on both sides of the pronaos. The lower end of the corridors reaches to two rooms. The gates being decorated by Doric elements such as taenia and regulae are interesting for a temple in Ionic order. The naos measures approximately 54x22.5 m. The floor is 4 m lower than the Eastern Room. The walls of the naos rising on a 5.2 m high podium were supported by wide pilasters. The upper side of the naos walls was decorated with a frieze including grifon and lyra motifs dating to the first half of the 2nd century BC The top of entire naos including the stairs is open [Akurgal 1995:385-387]. To the west of the naos lies a naiskos with a dimension of 14.2x8.5 m. The ionic structure is prostyle with 4 columns in the front. It is made of marble; and it includes the cult statue of Apollo by Canachus. It is suggested that the naiskos was built before the adyton; and the cult and oracle ceremonies were held in the Eastern Room; even before the construction of the naos. Under the naiskos; there is a bothros where at the bottom; a marble plate; overlaid by two layers of deposit including bones of birds; fragments of irons; bronze coins from the Hellenistic Period; gold and silver materials were uncovered. Two layers are divided by another marble plate. Typically common in khtonic cults; this sample of bothros was filled for once and covered in the Sanctuary of Didyma. No sacred ashes of sacrifices were found in it. The ashes found on the marble plate over the bothros are from the Christianity Period. Sacrifice of birds is not common in the Apollon cult. Most probably; this bothros was opened in the 3rd century BC for the dedication of naiskos. Wiegand and Knackfuss believe that the material inside the pit might be remnants of the replaced naiskos of the 5th century BC [Fontenrose 1988:40]. There used to be laurel bushes in the archaic temple and inside the naos during the 3rd century BC The floor was paved in the following centuries. The frieze on the architrave over the outer row of columns was ornamented with Medusa heads; which was reported to be completed at the 2nd century BC [Akurgal 1995:388]. Sacred Spring: It lies to the west of the adyton; and northeast of the naiskos. A spring room was built here during the 5th century BC The location of the spring was changed over time inside the naos. According to the Milesian traditions; the source was at the Mykale Mountain [Fontenrose 1988:40]. Altar: The altar built during the Archaic Period to the immediate south of the temple had also been used during the Hellenistic Period and later. It lies to some south of the mid-axis of the Hellenistic temple [Fontenrose 1988:41]. The Sanctuary of Artemis Pythia: It is assumed that the cult of Artemis was present from the 7th century BC An inscription dating to the 6th century BC refers to a votive for Artemis Pythia and Apollo. According to another inscription; erection of a statue for the wife of Seleucus I to the Temple of Artemis in Didyma was discussed during the Council of Miletus gathered in 300-299 BC To the west of the Sacred Way; approximately 200 m northwest of the Sanctuary of Apollo there is a temenos. The sacred area with a massive rock in the center has 4-5 wells; which feed the pools scattered around the sacred area. It was enclosed by a wall. There is an altar near the northern pool. It is surrounded by a wall. The rooms on the western side of the Sacred Way are probably related with the sacred area as they open into the temenos. The size of the sacred area is also an indication of the fact that it was built for a significant god or goddess. Although no inscription was uncovered; it was suggested that it is a sanctuary of Artemis. Presence of wells indicate the nuns of Artemis Pythie known as hydrophores [Fontenrose 1988:123-125]. Miscellaneous: A border stone was found near Mercimek (west of present Emsan) to the east of Didyma; indicating a Sanctuary of Apollo [Bean-Cook 1957:107]. Evaluation of the Taxiarches Hill Findings and Finds: The Taxiarches Hill is situated just behind the north-south extending Sacred Avenue that comes from the north of the Apollo Temple in Miletus. A clear stratification consisting of many thin levels was observed on the cross-section inside the trench made in the center of the mound. One of these was dislocated due to the a large amount of cinder. This level occupied an area of 90 cm. In addition to a large amount of bronze tools, objects, handles and small finds, there were also ceramic objects such as jeweleries, cups, terra cotta vessels and aegyptiacum, which all together constituted the typical objects that can be found inside a temple type structure. These were extraordinary finds compared to other finds previously found at Didyma, in terms of their vessel forms, paint and decorations. In addition to these there were some imported goods such as Miletus type Fikellura ceramics. These were mainly imported from Attica, the island of Chios, and Corinth. There were also a few specimens from Laconia, Sardis (marble ware) and Utruria (Bucchero). It was actually found that drinking cups constitute the majority of the finds. Bowls and Skyphoi were also found frequently but there were almost no cooking ware at all. In the light of these finds we may say that these were not the typical ware that are found inside a residential structure. The large amount of miniature vases suggests a place with a cult function. Also, the amount of ornamentations may be less associated with a house, but it may be related to consecration. This type of votives were the presents used at consecration ceremonies. The silver Phyrigian hairpins fromearly 7th century BC, or the Alabastros and Amphokoriskos fragments from the 2nd half of the 6th century are among these finds as well. Numerous bronze tools and vessels were found in a condition that can be associated with a before looting phase, since these were all found jammed inside the soil. Some could be restored. Among these finds there is also a bronze bell and the bronze handle of a bronze barrel. An epigraph was found which became legible when cleaned, and some sherds [Filges 2004:147-148]. Although only three roofs could be traced based on the researches on over one hundred roof tile fragments there should be more than three roofs. Following the research on each and every single level based on the sherds found, a clear stratigraphy was obtained. According to this, one of the most important levels is the bottom (contains light brown sand) level which was dated to the 7th century BC (possibly 1st half). The sand level was dated to the 6th century BC. A feature that is remarkable here is that the bottom level finds are numerous but there is lack of weaponry. It could only be found in the upper levels. Based on this placing weapons as burial presents or votives has not been an ongoing tradition, it was rather a one-time only, or isolated case. The reason that arrowheads and helmets were found was posssibly due to the war that broke out during that period. Miletus and Didyma were under the invasion by the Persians in 494 BC. But this association is a pure hypothesis for now [Filges 2004:148]. The drills opened on the summit of the hill in 2009 show that the field on the South of the church are used as a cemetery during Late Byzantium Period. 24 graves covered up with sployen material and roof tiles containing no grave presents are carved in the main rock which is 60 cm under today's base ground. The destruction level that contains daily use ceramics entirely from Roman Period which is approximately 2 m thick can be tracked in the trench in the South. Mixed findings and pieces of many large storage vessels suggest usage as a garbage pit. The purpose of this excavation is to gather information on three layers which could not be finalized in the early and new trenches. Thus it became evident that "ash" and "brownish red-mud mixture" layers contain Late Archaic/Early Classic Periods. J. Breder reports the following results: The facts that the votive materials are encountered in all trenches at the same level and that the other findings captured in this layer consists of materials that belong to Late 8th Century BC and Middle 6th Century BC, show that the votive materials are regularly piled up. Since the findings are entirely made up of votive materials "Taksiarkhis Hill" must belong to a sacred place since the early periods. When combined with the results gathered from the early excavations the top terrace of "Taksiarkhis Hill" belongs to a sacred place beginning from early periods. As the votive materials evidently point out after the 494 BC Persian destruction, materials that belong to a sacred area are stored in this place. The fact that roof tiles of buildings that belong to different periods suggest that this activity of storing is carried out mainly after Persian destruction [Furtwängler 2011: 31-32]. "Mandra" -North Wall: Four trenches are opened 20 m from Apollo Temple almost in the adyton field behind it. Embankment that belongs to strong Byzantium and Late Roman Periods is encountered in SS 09/06 trench showing signs of destruction up to 2 m below the surface and 3 m under the walking base today. No architectural structure is encountered in this field. A layer of burnt debris containing some Middle Age ceramics together with modern materials under the modern house walls in the other fields of SS 09/07 trench. At this section of the drill, an intense embankment layer is encountered that consists of potteries almost entirely that belongs to Late Roman Period. Apart from this another layer is reached where many Antique Period root tiles and a poros building from Antique Period are found. And below this layer a walking level is encountered about 20 cm thick; the level presents no ceramics content which can be associated with an age [Furtwängler 2011: 31]. In 2014, the sounding studies were carried out at the back of the mandra wall. In the research area, a layer of terra rossa and loose fill on it were found. These loose fills tend to apply pressure to the mandra wall because of the heavy vehicles. The vehicles passing through the site have affected the enclosing wall of the temple in a negative way and some parts of the walls were severely damaged [Bumke et al. 2016:403]. Didyma Sanctuary 'Visitors Center': The other researched area extends in the west of the Sacred Avenue. It lies between the thermal installation on top of a palaestra,- which contains at least two halls and an area for the spectators, and the entrance gate to be unearthed of the Didyma Sacred Place. According to the latest researches and based on surprising clues it was determined that many monuments and squares which were assumed to be isolated single structures, should be perceived as a whole in terms of function. What was found here was a series of structures consisting of a building complex and the squares which can not be thought as having separate, independent functions. Due to its construction on a wide platform it was assumed that it should have a specific meaning related with the Sanctuary and its function. The sherds found inside the trenches in the west of the Sacred Avenue in 2000 and 2001 were analyzed and the period's plan was drawn for the reconstruction of the entire installation. The data on the construction dates of the buildings in the north of the thermal facilities and in the west of the Sacred Avenue was obtained within the levels underneath the foundations. Based on the sherds these were constructed concurrently in Early 2nd century BC. Alterations and usages for purposes other than intended took place in the following periods during 3., 6. and probably 10. centuries. The thermal installation in the north, the palaestra halls and the northern square were surrounded by a high brick wall [Filges 2004:149]. The building 1 which was unearthed last year, which has its barrel and dome vaults above the modern ground surface level and its top of the arch 5 m below the ground was defined as cistern due to lack of enough evidence. Possibly its first storey could be researched with a similar approach and the building complex consisting of a thermal installation and the halls could also be observed here. An estimated presence of a door from the Sacred Avenue may also be providing access for the thermal installation [Filges 2004:149]. Archaic Apollo Temple Researches and Preservation Efforts: For listing the inventory of the Archaic Temple (Also known as temple #2) building elements a sounding was performed underneath the Pteron on the height of the column #6 from west in the area where an explosion was applied for illicit digging during the 19th century (sounding north #1). As a result of the sounding new data was obtained on Didyma's early period building techniques. Approximately out of 20 m3 deposit,- which constituted of at least 15 m3 of stones, 79 significant building elements and 3 statue fragments were revealed. These were removed into the excavation house cleaned and the inventory numbers were recorded, and again removed into the warehouse of the museum. Before filling the pits the large cut stone blocks were removed, then these were defined, photographed, and measured for the archive. During other soundings 40 building elements and two statue fragments and some rooftiles were found in the west part of Bothros. These were also removed to the excavation house, cleaned, the inventory numbers were assigned and again removed to the warehouse. Before the filling of sounding pits the cut stone blocks and other pieces were defined, and documented [Furtwaengler 2007:405-406]. Enforcement activities on the large temple continued in 2009 as well as the clean-up activities on large Southern sides and the part of 12 column hall's junction to the East and the West wall. The work continued for removing the material damaged during the restoring activities carried out in 1910 /12, and for removing and cleaning up all marble pieces carefully. And the drills are made using the diamond drill and pieces are tied with steel joints. The work for sticking the matching pieces using Epoxide-Harz carefully and for filling the gaps with special material continued as well. Finally cleaning the surfaces of marble material also continued and Medusa blocks are moved to the entrance [Furtwängler 2011: 34-35]. On Adyton 1 of Archaic Period: Two in situ blocks were documented which are possibly related with the western foundation sequence of Sekos 1 which is the lowest level and which is on brown soil found during the sounding. These were found in the east of Sekos 2 west foundation. Late Archaic Period Temple 2: Adyton sub-structure is the largest known among the archaic, greek sacred structures. All blocks are made of light grey , rough limestone [Furtwaengler 2007:409]. Until the 2007 sounding excavations the level basin that extends from the west direction on the height of the 6th column pedestal 2.7 m from the terrace in the south of early Didymaion settlement (sounding B: drw. 3a-b) was believed to be representing an archaic votive offering platform. But on the other hand its location is intriguing: It is located on the extension of the rear wall of the archaic southwest hall. And that was interpreted as a structure for the votive offering. Further down an illicit digging was identified on the foundation (drw. 3a upper). This excavation can be followed from south to north from the stair structure of the altar in the area that extends up to the aditon. Previously this location contained a burial excavation that measured 3.5x2.5 m (sounding B) [Furtwaengler 2009:267-284]. Sounding A Research Results for the South of Late Period Didymaion Stair Structure: Following a thick, hard, grey smashed lime level which is often interrupted by Byzantine Period destruction (drw.:4a; 6th century AD small amphorae) a 0.8 m thick burnt level was reached. This level contains a large amount of rubbles of sherds, bronze and iron fragments (Obeloi) archaic altar's building elements (grooved column fragments) seal fragments, 4th century bronze mints. Among the rubble there are Lower Geometric Age and Archaic Age (early archaic age sherds: pic. 5a. Arrowheads: pic. 5b. A tripod vessel: pic. 5c). Below this dividing level there is a 0.3 m thick light sand color limestone level that does not contain any finds. This suggests an archaic celebration platform [Furtwaengler 2009:267-284]. The East Side of Didymaion, On The Village Road: the first sounding was opened at the edge of the modern road, in the axis of the temple, towards to the east. This road is located at the height of 5.50 m from the crepis belonging to Hellenistic Didymaion. Under the wall remains belonging to Middle Age (OK 75, 36 ü N.N.) at the NE corner of the sounding, a red-brownish limy layer was revealed. This cultural layer is commonly seen in the temple area and it contains materials (rings, a bronze bowl sherds etc.) especially belonging to Archaic Period. Under this layer with a thickness of 0.55 m, a sterilized soil (white soil) was reached (74.73 NN, 74.68 on the east, 74.53 N.N). Thereby, it can be seen that the ground level of the Ancient Period extends, starting from the top of the sounding, (74.68 ü. N.N) at the height of 4.30 m, about 5 cm to the south and 25 cm to the west. Therefore, it is understood that the area was located 2.20-2.40 m below the current street in Ancient Period (Archaic and Hellenistic periods). In Ancient Period, the height difference between the crepis of the temple and the street was 3.10-3.30 m. The pit with a depth of 20 cm dug into the sterilized ground is especially interesting. The well-preserved vases belonging to Late Hellenistic Period, two pitchers, two goblets, three fish plates, bowls with reliefs, four Hellenistic Miletus coins and a bronze slab piece were found in this pit. Finding the well-preserved drinking and eating vases in the pit suggest that these vases were deliberatively placed into the pit [Furtwangler et al. 2013:150-151]. During the 2014 sounding, the studies were carried out in Area A in the north of Hisar Mosque. The aim of the studies was to understand what kind of structure the Hellenistic foundations (that was discovered in 2013) belong to. The structure that has a foundation wall measuring about 11.80x31.60 m was severely damaged. Considering the plan of the foundation, it is possible to suggest that these remains could belong to a temple. The architrave block found in the west of the foundation remains shows similarity with the building remains known as "pseudo-naiskos" the location of which is not yet determined. Therefore, it is possible to suggest that these architectural elements are related to the temple discovered in the garden of Hisar Mosque [Bumke et al. 2016:404-405]. The South Side of Didymaion: The test pits are opened on the west edge of the area where the materials recovered from SS 10/03 were found, opposite of the Mandra wall and 25 m far from form Apollon Temple (OK 69.28 - 68.92 m ü. N.N.). The test pit SS 10/04 is opened for the purpose of researching the the higher section and east section of the temple (the upper limit of the current area is 74.07 m. ü. N.N). Based on the findings recovered from the layer, the ground level on the south section of the temple was located in front of the terrace wall which has been exposed recently. It was under this current ground level until Roman Period. The area which extends towards the south of the temple was strongly filled up. The test pit SS 10/03 which is opened in this area shows that the occupation layer which was used until Hellenistic Period was located at the level of +66,20 u. N.N and the depth of 1.46 m under the euthynterie level of the late Didymaion stairs (67, 66 m ü. N.N.). There was a elevation difference between the Archaic cult structure and this area. The old stream bed encountered the section leading the south which is located between the temple and adyton could be traced on the bedrock and it yielded important data [Furtwangler et al. 2013:151-152]. The Terrace Structure On the South Of Didymaion: A large number of illicit digging pits have been encountered in the 1st Degree archaeological site; on the south section of Apollo Temple since the beginning of the excavations. A wall belonging to Ancient Period has exposed because of one of the illicit digging pits. As the results of the studies conducted on four different trenches, a monumental wall has been unearthed in the unknown section of the sanctuary. It was found out that this wall was in fact the terrace wall surrounding the area which is located at a higher point on the south of Apollo Temple and it extends in the east-west direction. It is located about 50 m far from the temple and its elaborate external surface faces to the north of the temple. About 23 m of this wall could be traced and it is 1 m in width and it scales up to 3.45 m. On the eastern section, the wall masonry is 1.56 m in width. The bottow three rows stick out the masonry and in this way, it is cut by the stairs which forms independent steps. At least 5 of the 6 steps were preserved. 3 of them at the bottom stick out about 1 m north from the step projection. Since the wall in question has short vertical walls on both sides of the steps, the upper rows of the steps were preserved. Solid spolia blocks belonging to different periods were used in the construction of the wall and it is understood that these blocks were the rectangular shaped limestone blocks belonging to the old foundation. As an exception, one should especially mention the 10 spolia which stick out from the smooth surface by forming a protrusive border and a groove at the bottom. This special workmanship indicates the existence of the seats. There are two faces on the subsequent sections of the wall. The only visible north face was worked. The section of the wall shows that the wall stands because of the 1 m thick fill which was formed with the bedrock, on the south side. This is a typical construction technique used in terrace walls for the purpose of dewatering the collected water. The marble blocks bonded by the "P" shaped iron axle clouts filled with lead and some of them are preserved. The foundation formed with broken stones is located on the worked bedrock. In the Ancient Period, the ground level of the steps was located about 2 m under the current ground level. This elevation difference should have been valid in the Ancient Period as well since the well-preserved highest wall blocks are located immediately under the current ground level. However, based on the recent data, it is hard to say that the wall was whether higher or not. The mortared wall which was built with broken stones belong to the later building level. It extends towards the north to the side of the stairs and joins the terrace wall. It sits on the beginning of the stairs and the face leading to the stairs inclines inside. Therefore, the wall took the shape of trapezoid. The wall sides located on the west section of the stairs are preserved on the foundation which was formed with stones from the bedrock. This shows that the wall hadn't weathered after its construction. Considering the plaster is not preserved, it is assumed that the ground level should have been about 68.28 m when it was in use. These two rows of wall were possibly bordered by doors placed on the north tips and in later period, these walls reinforced the terrace entrance with a kind of gate structure. In this regard, one should ask the question of which period this wall and extension phase belong to. The seats; i.e the special spolia blocks; belonging to the stadium which formed the south border of above-mentioned Apollon Temple gives a clue about this question. While the crepis stairs functioned as the seats of the stadium on the north; on the south, there are limestone blocks; which some of those are preserved in situ; placed on the slope. Although there is no certain evidence about the usage of the stadium, it could be dated to the second half of 3rd century AD; the period after Didymaion collapsed. Although, a stone fill with a width of 1 m has been seen inside of the wall, no particular find was found for dating. However, the findings recovered from the occupation layer gives little information about the period, they indicate Roman Period. It is thought that the wall built with broken stones; which connects the stairs with the gate structure and terrace; should be dated to the second half of 3rd century AD Or 5th/6th centuries AD [Furtwangler et al. 2013:152-155].
Interpretation and Dating:


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