The Discovery and Early Attempts
The discovery of the sanctuary of Olympia is attributed to the British traveler Richard Chandler in 1766, who first identified the site of the ancient sanctuary, which until then had been called “Antilalos”. Interest in the area was intensified by the work of J.J. Winckelmann, who envisioned the discovery of the treasures of Olympia, while the first professor of archaeology in Greece, Ludwig Ross, unsuccessfully attempted to raise funds for excavations in 1853. The first limited excavations were carried out in 1829 by the French Scientific Mission to the Morea under Abel Blouet, which lasted six weeks and brought to light parts of the temple of Zeus, including the metopes that were transferred to the Louvre.
The First Period of Systematic Excavations (1875–1881)
Systematic research began in 1875 by the German Archaeological Institute (DAI), following a formal bilateral agreement between Greece and Prussia in 1874. A central figure was Ernst Curtius, who secured funding for the project from the German state (approximately 800,000–900,000 gold francs). During this period, the core of the sanctuary was uncovered, including the Temple of Zeus, the Heraion, the Metroum and the Bouleuterion. The most important finds were the sculptures of the pediments of the Temple of Zeus, the Victory of Paeonium and the Hermes of Praxiteles. Curtius was a strong supporter of the findings remaining at the site of their discovery, which led to the construction of the first Olympia Museum with a donation from Andreas Syngrou in 1888.
The Wilhelm Dörpfeld Phase and Prehistoric Research
Between 1906 and 1929, the research continued under the guidance of the architect Wilhelm Dörpfeld. Dörpfeld focused on the search for the origins of the sanctuary, discovering arched buildings and prehistoric layers in the area between the Heraion and the Peloponnese. His contribution was decisive for the dating of the earliest phases of habitation, as he argued that the sacredness of the site dates back long before the first recorded games. At the same time, his work at the Theikoleon helped to separate the classical structures from the Roman additions.
The Stadium Excavation and the National Socialism Period (1936–1942)
On the occasion of the Berlin Olympics in 1936, a new phase of excavations began under Emil Kunze and Hans Schleif. The focus shifted to the Ancient Stadium, which was gradually uncovered, as well as the South Stoa and the Gymnasium. This period was characterized by a strong socio-political impact, as the project was financed directly by order of Adolf Hitler for reasons of propaganda and the promotion of the ancient Greek spirit as a model. The work was forcibly interrupted by World War II.
Post-war Research and Modern Era (1952–Present)
Excavations were resumed in 1952 under Kunze and later by Alfred Mallwitz (1972–1984), who uncovered the workshop of Phidias, the Leonidaion, and the north wall of the Stadium. From 1984, under Helmut Kyrieleis, research focused on reexamining the early history of Altes, with extensive excavations in the Peloponnese that demonstrated cultic activity as early as the 11th century BC. Recent projects under Ulrich Sinn have focused on the Roman period and Late Antiquity, highlighting the Christian settlement of Olympia. Today, LiDAR technology, geophysical surveying, and artificial intelligence are being used to digitize the data and explore unexplored areas of the sanctuary.
Difficulties and Human Cost
The 19th-century excavators faced harsh environmental conditions, with the humid climate and marshes of Alpheus causing malaria epidemics. The Greek commissioners, Athanasios and Konstantinos Dimitriadis, recorded in their diaries the isolation, poverty, and health problems that plagued them. Athanasios was forced to resign due to severe paralysis in 1877, while financial constraints were ongoing. In addition, the lack of permanent housing forced the staff to live in makeshift houses or in the village of Drouva.
Greek-German Relations: Cooperation and Suspicion
The cooperation was characterized by a constant tension between scientific purpose and national sovereignty. Although relations between scientists were often harmonious, there was mutual distrust regarding the management of the finds. The first contract caused outrage in Greek public opinion, as it allowed the Germans to extract “double” finds, leading to accusations of theft of antiquities and “archaeological exclusivity”. Greek commissioners often clashed with the Germans over control of the keys to the repositories and the publication of the results. However, archaeology also functioned as a diplomatic bridge, overcoming political obstacles even after the World Wars