Due to extraordinarily good find conditions the Greek colony Metapont in Lower Italy gives very clear evidence of the following circumstance: In wide areas of the representative and sacral centre of the polis, in the “urban sanctuary”, i.e. at magnificent temples and altars from the 7th to the 3rd century B.C. no luxurious votive offerings had been erected but exclusively plain stones and aniconic pillars. This phenomenon was found in Western Greece also in other places but not, however, in the Greek motherland. This study is supposed to find an explanation. A comprehensive analysis of the findings is aimed at the reconstruction of the entire votive practice in the urban sanctuary of Metapont and in those of Poseidonia (Paestum), Syracuse, Akragas (Agrigent) and Selinunt. In consultation with other archaeological and literary sources it becomes possible to characterize the function of the aniconic anathems and in contrast even of other species of votives. Apart from this the high value of the consecration of stones and pillars in Western Greece becomes obvious and consequently the great importance of collectively keeping up traditions when living abroad.