![]() ![]() In Mesoamerica, votive deposits have been recovered from the Olmec site of El Manati (dated to 1600–1200 BC) and the Maya Sacred Cenote at Chichen Itza (850–1550 AD).Īrchaeologists have recovered some votive offerings in ancient Sparta from the 5th century BC. Arms and armour, especially helmets, were also given after a victory. Much of our knowledge of ancient Greek art in base metal comes from these and other excavated deposits of offerings. At Olympia many small figurines, mostly of animals, were thrown onto the huge pile of ashes from animal sacrifices at the altar outside the Temple of Zeus. Some Greek offerings, such as bronze tripods at Delphi, were apparently displayed for a period and then buried in groups. The offerings were in certain cases created by a separate person due to the gifter having an injury or other circumstances, which was allowed. ![]() Votive offerings were also used as atonement for sins committed against a god or goddess. The Treasuries at Olympia and Delphi (including the Athenian Treasury and Siphnian Treasury) were buildings by the various Greek city-states to hold their own votive offerings in money and precious metal the sites also contained large quantities of votive sculptures, although these were clearly intended to glorify each city in view of its rivals as well as to give thanks to the gods. 'There would have been far more, if those who were not saved had set up offerings.' When some one expressed astonishment at the votive offerings in Samothrace, his ( Diogenes) comment was, ![]() The items have since been discovered in rivers, lakes and present or former wetlands by construction workers, peat diggers, metal-detectorists, members of the public and archaeologists.Ī saying by Diogenes of Sinope as quoted by Diogenes Laërtius, indicates the high level of votive offering in Ancient Greece: The purposeful discarding of valuable items such as swords and spearheads is thought to have had ritual overtones. Often all the objects in a ritual hoard are broken, possibly 'killing' the objects to put them even further beyond utilitarian use before deposition. In certain cases entire ships have been sacrificed, as in the Danish bog Nydam Mose. The votive offerings were sacrificed and buried or more commonly cast into bodies of water or peat bogs, whence they could not possibly have been recovered. High status artifacts such as armor and weaponry (mostly shields, swords, spears and arrows), fertility and cult symbols, coins, various treasures and animal statuettes (often dogs, oxen and in later periods horses) were common offerings in antiquity. In Europe, votive deposits are known from as early as the Neolithic, with polished axe hoards, reaching a peak in the late Bronze Age. In archaeology, votive deposits differ from hoards in that although they may contain similar items, votive deposits were not intended for later recovery. The modern construction practice called topping out can be considered an example of a votive practice that has very ancient roots. Votive offerings have been described in historical Roman era and Greek sources, although similar acts continue into the present day, for example in traditional Catholic culture and, arguably, in the modern-day practice of tossing coins into a wishing well or fountain. In Buddhism, votive offering such as construction of stupas was a prevalent practice in Ancient India, an example of which can be observed in the ruins of the ancient Vikramshila University and other contemporary structures. Other offerings were very likely regarded just as gifts to the deity, not linked to any particular need. While some offerings were apparently made in anticipation of the achievement of a particular wish, in Western cultures from which documentary evidence survives it was more typical to wait until the wish has been fulfilled before making the offering, for which the more specific term ex-voto may be used. Such items are a feature of modern and ancient societies and are generally made in order to gain favor with supernatural forces. New Acropolis Museum, Athens, Greece.Ī votive offering or votive deposit is one or more objects displayed or deposited, without the intention of recovery or use, in a sacred place for religious purposes. Asclepios is sitting on an omphalos between his wife Epione and a man clad in himation. ![]()
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