World Heritage Site:
Xanthos-Letoon
Publication Year:
2023
Publication Type:
Article
Publication Identifier:
WHE5037B5808C
Summary
A recent study of 179 fired-clay tokens from the Letoon Sanctuary in Lycia reveals their multifaceted roles in religious ceremonies, governance, and social interactions. These tokens, discovered in 2016–2018 but previously overlooked in excavation reports, suggest diverse uses, including as markers for festivals like Romaia Letoia or agonistic events, and possibly as indicators of governance functions near the theater. Some tokens bear inscriptions or monograms, hinting at symbolic significance beyond mere utility. The research highlights the potential of such artifacts to illuminate understudied aspects of ancient sacred spaces.
Citation
ÖZDİLEK, B. (2023). Tokens Used in the Letoon Sanctuary: Society, Religious Ceremonies and Governance in the Light of Tokens. Cedrus. LOCKSS. https://doi.org/10.13113/cedrus.202404