Verified37.9350° N · 23.8300° E · 700 m
Cave of the Nympholept — Mt Hymettus
Classical·Athenian·🇬🇷 Attica, Greece
About
About Cave of the Nympholept — Mt Hymettus
Cave of the Nympholept — Mt Hymettus in Attica, Greece is a Classical cave attributed to Athenian. Cult cave 40 m deep with carved niches for nymph reliefs on Mt Hymettus. High cult cave on Hymettus with graffiti of nympholept Archidamas.
Why it mattersType-site for Athenian cave studies
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01Phasing sequence
- 02Function and cult identity
Theories
- 01Panhellenic competition centre
- 02Colonial foundation model
Theories are interpretations, not findings. The seal above tells you how much scholarly weight the place carries.
History
How it came to be
- Built
- c. 450 BCE
- Period
- Classical
- Culture
- Athenian
- Purpose
- Cult cave 40 m deep with carved niches for nymph reliefs on Mt Hymettus
- Excavation
- Excavated
c. 450 BCE
Initial construction
c. 1880 CE
Systematic excavation
On the ground
Structures & features
37.9350° N · 23.8300° E · 700 m · 4 mapped features
Cave of the Nympholept — Mt Hymettus — Cut Rock Channel
channelRock-cut channel or quarry face
37.9352° N · 23.8301° ECave of the Nympholept — Mt Hymettus — Associated Cistern
cisternWater management feature
37.9348° N · 23.8302° ECave of the Nympholept — Mt Hymettus — Dwelling / Sanctuary Niche
nicheRock-cut niche or dwelling
37.9354° N · 23.8298° ECave of the Nympholept — Mt Hymettus — Necropolis Extension
necropolisBurial extension beyond core
37.9346° N · 23.8298° E