Introduction

The material dimension of cult practices and ritual communication in ancient sanctuaries is the central issue of all contributions gathered in the book, which has been framed within three complementary areas of enquiry. Firstly, the architectural settings of sanctuaries was examined beyond temple buildings to appraise the wider context of their structural and spatial complexity. Secondly, the material culture of votive deposition and religious feasting is analysed in terms of performative characteristics and through the lens of anthropological approaches. Thirdly, the significance of gender in cultic practice is investigated in light of the fresh data retrieved from the field.