DFG-Projekt Abschlussbericht "Wasser und Kult im Heraion von Samos"

A resilient water supply system at the Heraion of Samos, one of the largest ancient Greek temple complexes, has been revealed through interdisciplinary research. The study demonstrates that the site's strategic location—situated at the convergence of surface water catchments and a cascade of groundwater aquifers—enabled sustainable water access even during prolonged droughts. Isotope analyses further traced the origins of this water, linking it to ancient, sulfur-rich sources tied to the temple's sacred significance. Sediment core data also reconstructed the Imbrasos River's historical shifts, explaining the need for western temple fortifications and illustrating how groundwater wells, predecessors to modern horizontal drains, mitigated salinization risks. This research underscores the Heraion's hydrological resilience and the synergy between archaeological evidence and environmental hydrology.

Külls, C., Heiden, J., & Fahlbusch, H. (with FID GEO, & FID GEO). (2025). DFG-Projekt Abschlussbericht "Wasser und Kult im Heraion von Samos". FID GEO. https://doi.org/10.23689/FIDGEO-10494