ON THE PREHISTORIC RACE IN THE GREEK ISLANDS. 203 



The building, which originally stood on the top of this massive platform, 

 was of the Doric order, and consisted of two chambers, the debris of 

 which and the foundations were hidden by several feet of soil, in which 

 fir trees of considerable age were growing. 



The long side of the platform facing the sea measured 54 ft., and 

 2 ft. 4 in. from the outer edge we came across the outer wall of the 

 temple, offering a fa9ade to the sea of 45 ft. 9 in. in length. Until we had 

 proceeded some way with the excavation we found few traces on this 

 side, which, from its proximity to the sea, had doubtless been robbed of 

 its principal features at an earlier date. A^ the south-western corner of 

 this outer chamber, which was in width 32 ft. 7 in., we came across a 

 raised platform, on which originally stood an archaic statue of Apollo ; 

 along this, in letters of an early period, ran the inscription AA02 

 AIIOAA, which I take to be a rai-e dedication either to the ' wolf god ' 

 Apollo or in connection with the sun god (Saos, a torch, a light). 



At a little distance from this platform we came across the marble 

 trunk of an archaic statue, broken oif below the knees, and without a 

 head, and measuring from the neck to below the knee 4 ft. 5 in. Ai'ound 

 the shoulders it was 4 ft. 10^- in., and round the waist only 3 ft. 4 in. ; it 

 had down the back 15 braids of hair, and, at the top of each, holes in 

 which ornaments had been fixed. Strength was curiously developed in 

 the chest and sinews, and the idea of the knee was given by a curious 

 trefoil-like excrescence. 



In front of this platform we came across a number of large marble 

 slabs, with votive inscriptions from mariners, thanking the gods for a 

 successful voyage. The most interesting was dedicated to ' Sminthean 

 Apollo, who gives good voyages,' and relates how the oSerer had sailed 

 around ' the misty island ' {depirjv vrjaov). This is a curious allusion to the 

 old legendary name of Thasos, 'Aept'a, or the misty island, which was given 

 to it in this wise. An early band of colonists, in the ninth century B.C., 

 from the other marble island of Paros, sought from the Delphic oracle 

 directions as to where they should go. ' Go to the misty island ' was the 

 reply ; and Thasos, according to their idea, being the most misty place 

 they knew, they repaired thither, colonised it, and called it 'Aepia. 



Another votive tablet of later date was dedicated to Artemis, ' who 

 gives good voyages,' by Eutychus, the captain, Tychichus, the mate, and 

 Jucundus, the helmsman, of a ship. Amongst this interesting debris of 

 an ancient cult, we likewise found a small archaic head, of exceedingly rude 

 workmanship, and a curious, well-cut stone, 3 ft. lin. by 1 ft. 3 in. thick, 

 down the front edge of which was carved a curious head, as of Poseidon, 

 with a long beard in five bi'aids, which seemed as if it had been one of 

 two sides to a seat. 



The wall which divided this outer chamber from an inner one was 

 built of huge blocks of marble, fastened together with iron rivets, set in 

 lead, only the foundations being in their place; the first and second blocks 

 of this wall, measuring 3 ft. 2 in. and 12 ft. 2^ in. respectively, formed 

 the base of a neatly cut square pattern which had adorned this portion 

 of the wall ; then came the door, the hinge-holes of which were still dis- 

 tinguishable, measuring 5 ft. ; close up against the southern side of the 

 entrance stood a large block of marble, with an inscription on it relating 

 the names of various archons, polemarchs, apologoi, a local Thasiote name 

 for the logistai, or auditors of accounts, and the name of a sacred herald. 

 Close to this stood a pedestal, without inscription, and which doubtless 



