The identification of the sanctuary is based on a large number of votive inscriptions on pottery. A great number of these inscribed vessels come from different regions of the Greek world. Τhis indicates that the sanctuary was very appealing to a great range of worshippers since its early days. According to Gardner the first temple of Aphrodite dates back to c. 600 B.C.

Records

• 1884-1885: by W. F. Petrie
  
• 1885-1886: Systematic Excavation by E. A. Gardner
  

References: Primary

• Gardner, E.A., 1888. Naukratis. Part II: Sixth Memoir of the Egypt Exploration Fund, London.: 33–59
• Petrie, W.M.F., 1886. Naukratis. Part I, 1884–5: Third Memoir of the Egypt Exploration Fund, London.: 16

References: Secondary

• Möller, A., 2000. Naukratis: Trade in Archaic Greece, Oxford.: 102–104
• Villing, A., Schlotzhauer, U., 2006a. Naukratis and the Eastern Mediterranean: past, present and future in Villing, A., Schlotzhauer, U. (eds), Naukratis: Greek Diversity in Egypt. Studies on Greek Pottery and Exchange in the Eastern Mediterranean, London.    : 3–9

Written Sources

• Athenaios (15.675f–676c) is the only one who mentioned the Archaic sanctuary of Aphrodite and the temple. He dates the sanctuary and the temple during the 23rd Olympiad (688 B.C.).