The German government funded the excavation of Olympia in 1875 with the assistance and support of the best archaeologists of the time. Within 6 years most of the buildings had been identified including ‘The Temple of Zeus’, ‘The Heraion’ and ‘The Precinct of Pelops’. This led to the re-introduction of the Modern Olympic Games.
The modern Olympics are based upon the games held in Olympia between 776BC and 393AD. The games then were dedicated to the Greek God Zeus, held every four years and any free male born during the early fall of the year was welcome to compete.
It is believed that the beginning of organised athletics in Greece dates back to the 8th century BC. Archaeological finds have found a sharp growth in population, wealth and significant architecture here, possibly due to the arrival of the Dorians from the north, awakening the Greeks from a “dark age” of several centuries.
Deeper archaeological excavations and closer studies of ancient texts, artefacts and art are giving academics a new insight into the ancient Olympic games and how important athletics was to Greek’s in ancient times. Archaeologist Dr Stephen G. Miller said, “The games ran hand in hand with Greek cultural development”. Archaeologists have also recovered the discusses and halteres (jumping weights), and jars that held olive oil that athletes rubbed on their bodies to warm up before races. Much of the new research represents greatly the text from ancient writers, words on stadium walls and artefacts unearthed from ruins.
The modern Olympics are based upon the games held in Olympia between 776BC and 393AD. The games then were dedicated to the Greek God Zeus, held every four years and any free male born during the early fall of the year was welcome to compete.
It is believed that the beginning of organised athletics in Greece dates back to the 8th century BC. Archaeological finds have found a sharp growth in population, wealth and significant architecture here, possibly due to the arrival of the Dorians from the north, awakening the Greeks from a “dark age” of several centuries.
Deeper archaeological excavations and closer studies of ancient texts, artefacts and art are giving academics a new insight into the ancient Olympic games and how important athletics was to Greek’s in ancient times. Archaeologist Dr Stephen G. Miller said, “The games ran hand in hand with Greek cultural development”. Archaeologists have also recovered the discusses and halteres (jumping weights), and jars that held olive oil that athletes rubbed on their bodies to warm up before races. Much of the new research represents greatly the text from ancient writers, words on stadium walls and artefacts unearthed from ruins.