DOI Seite / Zitierlink:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.1117#0258
212 PYRAMIDAL BASE OF DOUBLE-AXE STAND
was of pyramidal shape, 37 centimetres in height. It had a square base
and four sides tapering upwards to a square-cut upper surface 16 by jq
centimetres in dimensions (Fig. 160 b). The whole was evidently used as a
support for some object of cult.
There can hardly be a doubt that this gypsum pedestal was, in fact
designed as a base for the stand of a Double Axe of moderate size. The
pyramidal form of the object itself suggests a comparison with that of a
well-known class of Double-Axe stands wrought out of gypsum, limestone
or steatite, and, though these as a rule were slightly stepped, this was not
by any means universally the case.1
Some of the steatite axe stands of this class are quite small and port-
able and might well have been placed on a pyramidal pedestal such as that
before us. One in this material from Palaikastro had a base only 11-5
centimetres square, the whole being 9 cm. high.2 That found in associa-
tion with a bronze Double Axe of the ritual kind in the Psychro Cave and
the fragmentary specimen, also of dark steatite, brought to light in com-
pany with the bull's head ' rhyton' in the same material in the Little Palace,
would have been equally adapted for such a position.
It may also be observed that such a method of placing a small Axe,
stand and all on a more or less fixed pedestal, would have a certain con-
Fot'dou- ven'ence since the shafts of these sacred weapons were carefully locked
into their sockets. This was effected by means of a small pin inserted
through a hole in the side of the apex of the pyramid, as is well illustrated
by the specimen referred to from Palaikastro. The horns of bull's
head ' rhytons' were fastened on in the same way, and the same method is
adopted for the primitive locks of Minoan doorways, the bronze ' locking-
pins '—or primitive keys—of which specimens have been found.3
This pyramidal base—like several Double-Axe stands found in position
beside the sacred pillars in Crypts l—would have been in the position in
which it is restored, beside the altar. Considering the frequency, moreover,
in which Double Axes appear in pairs and the symmetrical arrangement
Conclu-
sion that
a pair of
for Dou-
ble Axes
was set
beside
Altar.
1 That found in position before the pillar
in the South-East House at Knossos (which
has a Double Axe incised on it) is a trun-
cated cone without steps. It has a small
socket without any signs of ' locking'.
1 R. C. Bosanquet, Excavations at Palai-
kastro {B, S. A., viii), p. 300.
3 See P. of M., ii, Pt. II, p. 527 seqq.,
and Figs. 332 and 335. Ibid., ii, Pt. I,
p. 3S4, Figs. 217, 218, and Hi, PP- I2^r4'
For a • locking-pin', seep. 12, Fig. 6. rlie
gypsum door-jambs of the Pillar Crypt of
the 'Temple Tomb' described below (§ II?)
showed similar borings for this primitive form
of lock. f
4 As, for instance, in the Pillar CryP's °
the South House and South-East House at
Knossos.
was of pyramidal shape, 37 centimetres in height. It had a square base
and four sides tapering upwards to a square-cut upper surface 16 by jq
centimetres in dimensions (Fig. 160 b). The whole was evidently used as a
support for some object of cult.
There can hardly be a doubt that this gypsum pedestal was, in fact
designed as a base for the stand of a Double Axe of moderate size. The
pyramidal form of the object itself suggests a comparison with that of a
well-known class of Double-Axe stands wrought out of gypsum, limestone
or steatite, and, though these as a rule were slightly stepped, this was not
by any means universally the case.1
Some of the steatite axe stands of this class are quite small and port-
able and might well have been placed on a pyramidal pedestal such as that
before us. One in this material from Palaikastro had a base only 11-5
centimetres square, the whole being 9 cm. high.2 That found in associa-
tion with a bronze Double Axe of the ritual kind in the Psychro Cave and
the fragmentary specimen, also of dark steatite, brought to light in com-
pany with the bull's head ' rhyton' in the same material in the Little Palace,
would have been equally adapted for such a position.
It may also be observed that such a method of placing a small Axe,
stand and all on a more or less fixed pedestal, would have a certain con-
Fot'dou- ven'ence since the shafts of these sacred weapons were carefully locked
into their sockets. This was effected by means of a small pin inserted
through a hole in the side of the apex of the pyramid, as is well illustrated
by the specimen referred to from Palaikastro. The horns of bull's
head ' rhytons' were fastened on in the same way, and the same method is
adopted for the primitive locks of Minoan doorways, the bronze ' locking-
pins '—or primitive keys—of which specimens have been found.3
This pyramidal base—like several Double-Axe stands found in position
beside the sacred pillars in Crypts l—would have been in the position in
which it is restored, beside the altar. Considering the frequency, moreover,
in which Double Axes appear in pairs and the symmetrical arrangement
Conclu-
sion that
a pair of
for Dou-
ble Axes
was set
beside
Altar.
1 That found in position before the pillar
in the South-East House at Knossos (which
has a Double Axe incised on it) is a trun-
cated cone without steps. It has a small
socket without any signs of ' locking'.
1 R. C. Bosanquet, Excavations at Palai-
kastro {B, S. A., viii), p. 300.
3 See P. of M., ii, Pt. II, p. 527 seqq.,
and Figs. 332 and 335. Ibid., ii, Pt. I,
p. 3S4, Figs. 217, 218, and Hi, PP- I2^r4'
For a • locking-pin', seep. 12, Fig. 6. rlie
gypsum door-jambs of the Pillar Crypt of
the 'Temple Tomb' described below (§ II?)
showed similar borings for this primitive form
of lock. f
4 As, for instance, in the Pillar CryP's °
the South House and South-East House at
Knossos.