Evans, Arthur J.: Cretan pictographs and prae-Phoenician script with an account of a sepulchral deposit at Hagios Onuphrios near Phaestos in its relation to primitive Cretan (London, 1895)

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PRIMITIVE PICTOGRAPHS AND SCRIPT

19

it figures in relief. On one side are what appear to be two primitive repre-
sentations of animals, the style of one of which recalls the ox on the
Praesos disk, while on the other face are two tortoises and an uncertain
symbol grouped together like some of the pictographs on the triangular
seals to be described below.

To these Cretan examples I may add a pale green perforated steatite
(Fig. 19) from Siphnos, in material somewhat resembling the Phaestos disk,
one side of which is engraved with characters of curiously Cypriote aspect.

§ II.—The Facetted Stones with Pictogeaphic and Linear Symbols.

As forming a group by themselves it has been found convenient to
reserve the detailed examination of the facetted stones presenting picto-
graphic symbols for a separate section, and at the same time to place with
them the prism-shaped seals of the same type with more linear characters.

Another form of bead-seal and two examples of lentoid gems with picto-
graphic groups are also added.

The facetted stones themselves are of three principal types, all of them
perforated along their major axis.

I.—Three-sided or prism-shaped (Fig. 20 a and b). This type is divided
into two varieties—one elongated (a) the other more globular (/3).

Fig. 20a.—(2 diams.).

m

Fig. 20J.—(2 diams.).

IT.—Four-sided equilateral.

III.—Four-sided with two larger faces.

IV.—-With one engraved side, the upper part being ornamented with a
convoluted relief (Fig 21).

Fig. 21.—(2 diams.).