The significant few. Miniature pottery from the Sanctuary of Zeus at Olympia

A striking absence of miniature pottery during the Archaic period at the Sanctuary of Zeus in Olympia challenges traditional assumptions about its role as purely votive. This study reveals that miniature pottery, ubiquitous across other ancient Greek sanctuaries, holds complex significance—including commemorative and possibly ritual functions—when compared to assemblages from the Peloponnese. The pan-Hellenic character of Olympia may explain this scarcity, but it also suggests broader cultural or symbolic meanings beyond conventional interpretations. By analyzing pottery shapes and distributions, the research sheds new light on how material culture reflects social and religious practices in ancient Greek sanctuaries.

Barfoed, S. (2015). The significant few. Miniature pottery from the Sanctuary of Zeus at Olympia. World Archaeology, 47(1), 170–188. https://doi.org/10.1080/00438243.2014.992077