In 2009, scientists suggested ancient Greeks chose temple sites based on the ground beneath them

For centuries, archaeologists have debated why the Ancient Greeks built their temples in particular locations. Research published in 2009 offered fresh clues, suggesting that everything from the rising sun to earthquake fault lines and even the soil beneath the ground may have shaped those choices. Together, the findings paint a richer picture of how religion, nature and landscape were deeply connected in the ancient Greek world.

Ancient Greeks chose temple sites based on the ground beneath them

For generations, historians have tried to understand why the Ancient Greeks selected certain places for their temples. While religion undoubtedly played the central role, research published in 2009 suggested that astronomy, geology and even the soil beneath people's feet may all have influenced these remarkable structures, as per reports by Science Daily, History News Network and Atlas Obscura.

According to research from the University of Leicester, many Greek temples in Sicily appear to have been deliberately aligned with the rising sun. The study, published in PLoS ONE, was led by Dr. Alun Salt from the University's Centre for Interdisciplinary Science.

Why Did Most Temples Face the Rising Sun?

Dr. Salt surveyed Sicilian temples and discovered that almost all of them faced east toward sunrise. Of the temples examined, only three broke the pattern, while just one of 41 faced west.

The findings could point to what researchers described as an "astronomical fingerprint" of Greek settlers in the Mediterranean. Such a pattern may help distinguish settlements established by people who followed Greek religious traditions from native communities that adopted Greek architectural styles through trade while maintaining their own beliefs.

The study also highlighted that temples in the ancient world served purposes beyond religion. They were equally important political and economic statements.

Discussing the long-running debate surrounding temple orientation, Dr. Salt explained, "There are quite a few temples in Greece which don't face sunrise. So a few archaeologists have suggested that there is nothing significant about the number that face east. The problem is that no one has ever said what a 'significant number' would be," as quoted in a report by Science Daily.

To examine the question, the research applied probability mathematics more commonly associated with coin tossing or roulette wheels.



Dr. Salt illustrated the idea by saying, "The situation with temples in Greece is quite complicated. It would be like spinning a roulette wheel and finding that half the time the ball bounces out of the wheel. But when it does land, 90% of the time it'll be on red. That looks odd to me."

Yet the research also uncovered intriguing exceptions.

"What’s really interesting are the temples which don't fit," Dr. Salt noted.

"The temple of Hekate, a lunar goddess, at Selinous faces west. If every other temple in Sicily faces east, then what is special about that one?"

Were Sacred Sites Built on Fault Lines?

A separate study from the University of Plymouth, published in the Proceedings of the Geologists' Association, explored another possibility.

Researcher Ian Stewart suggested that some important Greek temples and sanctuaries may have been deliberately constructed on or near seismic fault lines, as per a report by Atlas Obscura.

The famous sanctuary at Delphi became a key example. The site, once regarded as the center of the world, was damaged by an earthquake in 373 B.C. before being rebuilt in the same location above a fault line. Researchers had previously linked the area's geothermal gases and sacred spring to its spiritual significance.

Stewart proposed that Delphi reflected a broader pattern that could include other well-known ancient sites such as Mycenae, Ephesus, Cnidus and Hierapolis.

He said, "I have always thought it more than a coincidence that many important sites are located directly on top of fault lines created by seismic activity."

Stewart added, "The Ancient Greeks placed great value on hot springs unlocked by earthquakes, but perhaps the building of temples and cities close to these sites was more systematic than has previously been thought."

The study also acknowledged that many sacred sites stand on stable ground, while many fault lines have no temples at all.

Stewart nevertheless believed earthquakes represented both danger and opportunity for the Ancient Greeks.

"[They] were incredibly intelligent people. I believe they would have recognized the significance [of these fault lines] and wanted their citizens to benefit from the properties they created."

Did Soil Shape Greek Worship?

Another 2009 study approached the mystery from an entirely different direction. Gregory J. Retallack of the University of Oregon examined 84 Greek temples dating from the Classical period between 480 and 338 B.C. His survey considered geology, landscape, soil, vegetation and historical writings by Herodotus, Homer and Plato.

The breakthrough came when he compared temple locations with the gods worshipped there. The research identified a strong connection between local soil conditions and particular deities, as per History News Network.

For instance, temples dedicated to Demeter, goddess of grain and fertility, and Dionysos, god of wine, were commonly located on fertile, well-structured Xeroll soils that are especially suitable for growing grain.

The findings suggested that the land itself may have influenced which gods were honoured at different locations, adding another layer to the relationship between nature and ancient Greek religion.



Taken together, the three studies from the University of Leicester, the University of Plymouth and the University of Oregon offer different but complementary explanations for temple placement. Whether guided by the rising sun, the power of geological fault lines or the qualities of local soil, the research suggests the Ancient Greeks carefully considered the natural world when selecting sacred spaces. Rather than pointing to a single answer, these studies reveal that astronomy, geology and landscape may all have played meaningful roles in shaping some of history's most iconic temples.

FAQs

Why did many Greek temples face east?

Research found that most Sicilian temples were aligned with the rising sun.

Did earthquakes influence temple locations?

One study suggests many sacred sites may have been intentionally built near fault lines.