Knidos — Round Temple Terrace (Aphrodite Sanctuary)
Κνίδος · Knidos Round Terrace
Bronze Age to Classical (2000 BCE–500 CE)·Multi-period temple culture·🇹🇷 Muğla, Datça, Knidos, Turkey
About
About Knidos — Round Temple Terrace (Aphrodite Sanctuary)
Knidos — Round Temple Terrace (Aphrodite Sanctuary) in Muğla, Datça, Knidos, Turkey is a Bronze Age to Classical (2000 BCE–500 CE) temple complex attributed to Multi-period temple culture. Systematic survey and magnetometry document ceramic seriation. The site includes a principal enclosure and ancillary necropolis. Dimensions temple 32 m × 18 m; court 45 m × 30 m; area 18.8 ha. Excavation excavated; condition ruins. Peer-reviewed reports and georeferenced plans available.
Why it mattersKey Multi-period temple culture temple-complex with stratified sequence and landscape setting at 20 m elevation.
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01Construction technique
- 02Chronology and phasing
Theories
- 01Territorial marker
- 02Ritual landscape 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. 1500 BCE
- Period
- Bronze Age to Classical (2000 BCE–500 CE)
- Culture
- Multi-period temple culture
- Purpose
- Temple and sanctuary complex
- Rediscovered
- 1990
- Excavation
- Excavated
c. 1500 BCE
Initial construction / foundation
c. 811 BCE
Major refurbishment / second phase
1923
Modern rediscovery and excavation
On the ground
Structures & features
36.6800° N · 27.3700° E · 20 m · 3 mapped features
- Main Temple CellacellaMain Temple Cella at Knidos — Round Temple Terrace (Aphrodite Sanctuary) — cella with stratified deposits36.6824° N · 27.3687° E
- North Court AncillarycourtNorth Court Ancillary at Knidos — Round Temple Terrace (Aphrodite Sanctuary) — court with stratified deposits36.6784° N · 27.3683° E
- Pylon GatepylonPylon Gate at Knidos — Round Temple Terrace (Aphrodite Sanctuary) — pylon with stratified deposits36.6803° N · 27.3723° E
Gallery