On the west coast of the Peloponnese, not far from Olympia, at a point where the coastal plain narrows and the foothills of the Lapithos Mountains extend to the sea, you can find the ancient fortress of Samikon, whose remains can still be seen today. In the plain below, there was according to the ancient geographer Strabo an important sanctuary dedicated to Poseidon, the god of the sea. However, it was not until the geophysical surveys and excavations carried out in 2021 and 2022 and funded by the Gerda Henkel Foundation that the cult site was clearly located: parts of the foundations of archaic temple of 9.40 metres width came to light at the "Kleidi" isthmus, which can also be described as the "Thermopylae of the Peloponnese" due to its proximity to thermal springs. The current state of the excavations reveals a monumental sacred building which is approximately 28 metres long comprising two central halls, each adjoined by two smaller rooms.

While the excavation campaigns in the first two years are intended to uncover the remaining foundations of the temple - and also clarify the existence of a possible peristasis - the investigations will be extended to the temple forecourt and the immediately neighbouring area from 2025. Cross sections will provide insights into the diachronic development of the cult site. The excavations will be accompanied by geophysical prospection and geoarchaeological drilling, which will be carried out by a working group led by Prof. Dr Andreas Vött (University of Mainz) and Dr Dennis Wilken (University of Kiel). The geophysical measurements will be used to determine the specific extent of the sanctuary and to reveal any possible additional building footprints. Analyses of botanical and zoological macro-remains will complement the excavations by providing information on the historical flora and fauna.

The excavations in Kleidi-Samikon are expected to provide new insights into the religious and political position of Triphylia, the ancient landscape in the western Peloponnese that was long dominated by the political community of the Eleians. The results will at first be presented in reports and lectures and then published in articles in scientific journals and monographs.