27. araştırma sonuçları toplantısı 3. cilt - Kültür ve Turizm Bakanlığı

lock to allow for easy access of lifting cables in the future. Although some
of the blocks that had been set down in 2007 had settled a fair amount over the
winter months, the presence of the wood skids still proved to be very helpful
in the one or two instances when a block from last year was lifted this season.
The northwest quadrant of the mound corresponds approximately to the
west flank and back wall of the temple. The process of moving blocks from
these two sides is very nearly complete as of the end of the 2008 season. In
addition, the blocks from the top of the temple mound were also successfully
moved. These included the two largest blocks lifted to date. One, the lintel
block of the temple door, is estimated to weigh four tons; the second, nearly
as large, is an aedicular pediment block belonging to the interior arrangement
of the cella. Removal of blocks from this area permitted the cleaning and
examination of the top of the temple platform.
A total of 440 blocks have been catalogued over the past two seasons,
representing an estimated 90% of the total number of blocks, either whole or
partial, of the temple. In the 2008 season, 137 blocks were lifted off the temple
mound which, when added to the number of blocks removed in 2007, makes
a total of 190 blocks so far removed (Fig. 2).
A wide variety of types are now represented among the blocks documented,
with those from the wall and entablature being the most numerous. The
blocks record important dimensions for the temple, including the lower
column diameter, as measured both from the base of the column shaft and
from the upper surface of one column base. Two Corinthian column capitals
have been recovered, as well as the lintel block and aedicular pediment,
already mentioned. Little investigation into possible joining of blocks was
undertaken, since nearly all our efforts focused instead on the process of their
removal from the mound and their proper recording. Nevertheless, as the
inventory of material continues to expand, we are encouraged at the amount
of the temple that remains for reconstruction.
Among the more significant observations made regarding the blocks in
2008 is that involving the aedicular pediment block, AT 119 (Figs. 3 and 4).
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