Himera Archaeological Area – Termini Imerese (PA)
The colony of Himera was founded in 648 BC by Greeks of Calcidian and Doric origin and destroyed in 409 a. C from Carthaginians. The cultural and demographic growth of the polis was rapid as witnessed by the large urban systems made from the first half of the 6th century. B.C., in the sanctuary of Athena, in the Temple B with its complex of polychrome sculptures.
The organization of the city, streets, houses, areas dedicated to the cult or the political, civil and economic life of the polis, is one of the most interesting aspects of the Greek colonial world. The north-eastern part of the high city was occupied by the sanctuary dedicated to the Olympic divinity, the Temenos of Athena, and inside there were small sanctuaries, one of which was dedicated to Demetra.
In the low city, research shows us the presence of the great Temple of Victory. Outside the city there were cemeteries. The funerary typologies: burial and cremation. In the Archaic period infants they were buried in terracotta containers (enchytrismòs).