During the period of the grant, 1993-1996, study and conservation of objects and architecture from the panhellenic Sanctuary of Poseidon and the Hellenistic settlement that is located nearby has been carried out in preparation for publication of six volumes in the Isthmia series. The project progressed, for the most part, according to the objectives and work plan outlined in the proposal as funded by the National Endowment for the Humanities. For three months each year staff members worked with the objects and the excavation records that are housed at the Isthmia Museum. They also had ready access to the archaeological remains, since the museum stands adjacent to the sanctuary. Conservation and data entry, as well as administration of the Isthmia archives, proceeded throughout the year. The catalogues that form the primary part of the monographs are virtually complete, together with photographs and drawings of all entries. The catalogue of Late Archaic and Classical pottery was completed in draft form by Julie Bentz. When she left the field to pursue a career in the law, the work was continued by Martha Risser, who is the foremost scholar specializing in Corinthian pottery of the period. In addition to preparation of the final publications, staff members have delivered papers and written articles on specialized topics relating to Isthmia (see Bibliography).
Accounts by the various authors on their progress and the conclusions that can be drawn from their studies comprise the body of this report <--(pp. 1-36)-->(not yet included in web-site version). Karim Arafat describes the Archaic pottery (a few examples from the 1989 excavations are illustrated in Fig. 21), John Hayes the ceramics of the Hellenistic and Roman periods (a sample page of his drawings is shown in Fig. 24), and Alastar Jackson the arms and armor (recently conserved helmets in Figs. 17-19). Results of his new study of the Archaic Temple of Poseidon are summarized by Frederick Hemans, while Virginia Anderson-Stojanovic describes her study of the pottery and architecture in the Rachi Settlement (restored drawings of buildings appear in Figs. 2-4). Stella Bouzaki, head conservator, supplies a list of the objects conserved and restored by her with the assistence of Nicholaos Didaskalou (Figs. 16, 22-25). Of the artefacts, 439 are metal, largely arms and armor; 21 stone, 14 ceramic, including a bathtub (Fig. 22); and 111 coins. Ms. Bouzakis' success in restoring four bronze helmets that had been pressed flat and were badly corroded is evident in the photographs. An unusually early example of a iron wheel rim from the ruins of the Archaic Temple was cleaned and is on display in the Isthmia Museum (Figs. 19-20). Michiel Bootsman reports on the photography. In addition to taking about 4,500 exposures of objects, he cleaned and catalogued 2,000 negatives from Oscar Broneer's excavations of 1952-1967. Jean Perras supervises all excavation and catalogue records in the Isthmia Museum, and she has entered a large part of the information in the site database. Additional studies not specifically supported by the grant but integral to the other studies of the site include faunal remains by David Reese, flora by Julie Hansen, coins by Liane Houghtalin, Greek inscriptions by Michael Jameson, sculpture by Mary Sturgeon, and stamped roof tiles by Michael Mills. Architectural drawings were done by Frederick Hemans with the assistence of Pieter Collet and Tom Morton (restorations of the Rachi Settlement, Figs. 2-4). Virginia Anderson-Stojanovic published a detailed report on the 1989 excavations of the Rachi Settlement; Elizabeth Gebhard and Frederick Hemans submitted reports on the Classical, Hellenistic and Roman periods of the sanctuary on the basis of new finds excavated in 1989 and reinterpretations of earlier material for publication in Hesperia, forthcoming.
In the Bibliography at the end of the report are listed papers and articles on Isthmian topics by members of the staff. Results of the project have been widely reported through a number of presentations at international conferences.The papers will appear in the publications of the conferences: Anderson-Stojanovic 1994; Arafat 1995; Gebhard (1993) 1997; (1994) forthcomiing; (1995) forthcoming; Hayes 1995; Hemans 1994; Morgan (1993) 1997; (1994a) forthcoming; (1994b) forhcoming; (1995) forthcoming; (1996) forthcoming. Gebhard gave public lectures in Edinburgh, Palo Alto, and Washington, D.C.; Anderson-Stojanovic in Chambersburg, Pa..
The Figures include, in addition to photographs of objects after conservation and restoration, scenes from the Isthmia workrooms and a selection of plans and drawings that will appear in the final publications.
Although not included in the present grant, it is worthwhile to note that the monograph onThe Metal Objects Isthmia, vol. VII) by the late Isabelle Raubitschek is in final page proof and will be published in 1997, and Catherine Morgan's volume on The Mycenaean Settlement and Early Iron Age Sanctuary (Isthmia, vol. VIII) is being copy-edited.
A selection of computer-generated views of the sanctuary included with the Figures represent the topography and monuments of the shrine at major phases in its history (Figs. 8, 11-12). A total of nine were created in AutoCAD by Peggy Sanders and Deborah Derylak. They are based on restored plans and drawings prepared in the course of the current project and on restorations published by Oscar Broneer in Isthmia, vols. I and II and by Elizabeth Gebhard in The Theater at Isthmia.
It remains for me to record with immense gratitude the support provided by many institutions and individuals. William D.E. Coulson, director of the American School of Classical Studies in Athens, and his staff, and the office of the American School in Princeton and the director of U.S. Operations, Catherine de Grazia Vanderpool handled much of the paper work and gave unfailing encouragement. We warmly thank the Classics Department of the University of Illinois at Chicago, the secretary, Annette Dewberry, Philip Gossett, Dean of the Humanities Division at the University of Chicago, and his staff for their invaluable assistence at all stages of the project. But, above all, we are indebted to the National Endowment for the Humanities. None of our work at Isthmia would have been possible without the most generous financial support of the Endowment. We are particularly grateful to David Wise for his advice and help throughout the current and previous grants. It is only through such substantial grants that scholars on an annual basis can be transported to the site where their material resides and be supported there for long periods of time. Detailed study and analysis of the primary archaeological record lies at the base of all further study. In the absence of a complete and accurate picture of what in fact is known about the remains of a site it is useless to compose elaborate hypotheses about socio-economic conditions, interpretations of literary texts, or to attempt to place the site in a wider context. At Isthmia, funds from the Endowment made it possible for each author to work closely with the photographer and conservator during study of the objects and architectural remains and the preparation of catalogues. Direct access to the site and the records of the original excavations enabled them to place their material within its archaeological context. Discussions with colleagues contributed much to the final products. At the close of this phase in the University of Chicago Excavations at Isthmia I am pleased to report that the study of virtually all objects excavated between 1952 and 1989, some categories of which are not included in the present project, is almost complete.
Future work at Isthmia includes study of the monuments of the central sanctuary in relation to the larger area of the shrine, conservation of the architecture on the site, and a general history of the sanctuary.
Respectfully submitted,
Elizabeth R. Gebhard
Director and P.I.
Professor Emerita, Classics Department
University of Illinois at Chicago