Coffer, Roof & Capitals

Coffer, Roof & Capitals

View looking up at one of the four projecting "tabernacles" (aedicula) on the Nymphaeum.   The inner coffers of the ceiling are clearly visible as is the well–carved exterior of the entablature.  Note the Composite (Corinthian + Ionic) style capitals—often used in the Roman Period.

Almost all of the pieces are original (!!)—except the ones I have shaded in light blue.  Note how well–preserved these remains are.  They are "white" because they were buried for almost 1,500 years and were cleaned as they were excavated. These impressive pieces were found at the foot of, and in the vicinity of, the Nymphaeum.  Three thousand five hundred pieces were carefully matched to form 400 blocks and columns.  Modern pieces, such as the light blue ones, were carefully crafted and put into place.

It should be remembered that the subsequent reconstructions used mainly materials found in the area of the Nymphaeum and the Heroon—and that the reconstructions are based upon the use of original artifacts that were re-erected (anastylosis).