The Columns of the Heraion at Olympia: Dörpfeld and Early Doric Architecture

A groundbreaking re-evaluation of the Temple of Hera at Olympia challenges long-held assumptions about Doric architecture. Contrary to the traditional belief that its columns were initially wooden and later replaced with stone, archaeological evidence, historical testimony from Pausanias, and recent fieldwork suggest the peristyle was likely constructed with stone from the outset. This finding undermines the 'tectonic theory' of Doric origins, which posits a progression from wood to stone in temple construction. The study integrates comparative site analysis and textual sources to reshape our understanding of early Doric architectural development.

Sapirstein, P. (2016). The Columns of the Heraion at Olympia: Dörpfeld and Early Doric Architecture. American Journal of Archaeology, 120(4), 565–601. https://doi.org/10.3764/aja.120.4.0565