The Lesbian Kyma in Northern Greece
Résumé
The lesbian kymation is one of the most important and enduring decorative motifs in Greek architecture. The association of the words kymation, or kyma, and lesbian, or lesbicum, designates with an inflection point that features a carved sequence of heart shapes alternating with spearheads. Its longevity within decorative record of the Archaic to the Roman period and its spread throughout the ancient Mediterranean, from Sicily to continental Greece, a curvilinear molding Asia Minor, and modern Syria, attest to the value of this ornament as a critical archaeological witness.
The region of northern Greece has a large sample of carved lesbian kymatia, mostly concentrated on the islands of Thasos and Samothrace. The aim of this study is to explore the connections between the architecture of Thasos and Samothrace during the Archaic and Hellenistic periods through the lesbian kymation, using a novel comparative protocol founded on photogrammetry by dense correlation. In this procedure, it is possible to extract the profile, motif, and the relief of a lesbian kymation by means of a digital replica produced by photogrammetry. As a result, this process allows for a more precise and systematic comparison of significant features of the moldings that can reveal stylistic affiliations. With this comparative protocol, it is possible to examine Greek decorative motifs by comparing morphologies through successive overlaps. These comparisons are more likely to reveal special features inherent to a workshop, reflect possible influences moving from one area to another, or to trace the existence of itinerant workshops.