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Archaic Akroteria (Acroteria)
An akroterion (acroterion) is an architectural ornament. In the archaic period, akroterion consisted of a highly decorative crowning located on the peaks and at angles or corners of buildings. Akroteria were crafted out of a variety of materials, including marble, terracotta, and limestone but references to bronze akroteria have also been discovered. Humanoid elements such as fragments of ears made of terracotta can even be found among the archaic artifacts of Poggio Civitate. Artistic elements on akroteria can be first seen as far back as the 7th century BC. In earlier periods, some of what became archaic akroteria, were seen as terracotta antefix es on edges and corners of roofing, but later development brought full fledged statues and highly artisitic design on these corners and peaks. The famous "Murlo Cowboy" akroteria of Poggio Civitate is an example of archaic acroteria that is a decorative statue. It has also been argued that these akroteria statues created an aura of power and wealth that would impact both those living within and around the buildings they adorned.