Out of the Archaic period we also begin to see a major emphasis on decorative architectural sculpture. The most important of these sculptures are done in the pediments and facades of temples . These start out being high relief sculptures carved into the stone deeply in order to bring them forth from the background. They gradually began putting relief sculptures into other areas of the new monumental buildings. By the end of the Archaic period we find balanced designs of the human form in action.
High relief gives way to separate standing statues in architectural decoration.
The major theme of the statues of this time are gods and mortals in battle. They loom impressively over the entrances in proportions close to life-size.