DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.8944#0094
192
ARTHUR J. EVANS
It has been already noticed that the comparative size of the doves on
the gold shrines and of the ' horns of consecration' both on these and the
analogous pillar-cells upon the rings, are themselves indications that we have
here to do with quite small structures. We see before us, in fact, cellular chapels
which still bear traces of their origin from the simple structural forms akin
to the pillared galleries of Spain or the primitive monuments of the Balearic
islands. This kind of baetylic cell is not by any means always of the type
in which the pillar acts, as in the above instances, as a support for the roof-
stones. Sometimes, as has been already pointed out, we see a short upright
stone, the top of which stands well below the roof slab. But in all cases it is
safe to say that we have to do with comparatively small cells.
vj 28.—Fresco representing a small Baetylic Temple from the Palace
at Knossos.
The dove shrines of Mycenae though still small in dimensions are
already considerably advanced beyond what has been described above
as the primitive dolmen cell. It has been reserved, however, for the
Palace of Knossos to produce the evidence of a still further development of
a similar type of Mycenaean sanctuary.
This is supplied by some fragments of fresco, part of a series in a
curious miniature style, found in a room to the north of the great Eastern
Court of the Palace. The associated fragments show large crowds of people
of both sexes, groups of elaborately dressed Mycenaean ladies engaged in
animated conversation, warriors armed with spears and javelins, part of the
city walls and the other buildings. A fragment of the wall of a sanctuary
belonging to this series with a row of ' horns of consecration' on the top, has
been already given in Fig. 18.1 A coloured reproduction of the pieces of
fresco representing the Mycenaean shrine will be seen on Plate V.
The open space in front of this small temple is crowded with men and
women, the sexes being distinguished according to the Egyptian convention
by their being respectively coloured reddish brown and white. To facilitate
this effect the artist has availed himself of a kind of pictorial shorthand,
irivincr the outlines of the men on a red ground and of the women on a
white. A seated female figure is also depicted with her back to the right
outer wall of the shrine itself, a useful indication of its comparative
dimensions.
The small temple here delineated is essentially an outgrowth of the
same type as that of the dove-shrines. As to the question whether it, too,
had an altar on the roof we have no evidence, but otherwise the fresco has
preserved enough of its construction to enable us to reconstitute the facade
or else they are patterns decorating the doors.' the openings remains a problem.1,
.Still, Dr. Schuchhardt admitted'the position 1 1*. 136.
of the columns themselves in the centre of
ARTHUR J. EVANS
It has been already noticed that the comparative size of the doves on
the gold shrines and of the ' horns of consecration' both on these and the
analogous pillar-cells upon the rings, are themselves indications that we have
here to do with quite small structures. We see before us, in fact, cellular chapels
which still bear traces of their origin from the simple structural forms akin
to the pillared galleries of Spain or the primitive monuments of the Balearic
islands. This kind of baetylic cell is not by any means always of the type
in which the pillar acts, as in the above instances, as a support for the roof-
stones. Sometimes, as has been already pointed out, we see a short upright
stone, the top of which stands well below the roof slab. But in all cases it is
safe to say that we have to do with comparatively small cells.
vj 28.—Fresco representing a small Baetylic Temple from the Palace
at Knossos.
The dove shrines of Mycenae though still small in dimensions are
already considerably advanced beyond what has been described above
as the primitive dolmen cell. It has been reserved, however, for the
Palace of Knossos to produce the evidence of a still further development of
a similar type of Mycenaean sanctuary.
This is supplied by some fragments of fresco, part of a series in a
curious miniature style, found in a room to the north of the great Eastern
Court of the Palace. The associated fragments show large crowds of people
of both sexes, groups of elaborately dressed Mycenaean ladies engaged in
animated conversation, warriors armed with spears and javelins, part of the
city walls and the other buildings. A fragment of the wall of a sanctuary
belonging to this series with a row of ' horns of consecration' on the top, has
been already given in Fig. 18.1 A coloured reproduction of the pieces of
fresco representing the Mycenaean shrine will be seen on Plate V.
The open space in front of this small temple is crowded with men and
women, the sexes being distinguished according to the Egyptian convention
by their being respectively coloured reddish brown and white. To facilitate
this effect the artist has availed himself of a kind of pictorial shorthand,
irivincr the outlines of the men on a red ground and of the women on a
white. A seated female figure is also depicted with her back to the right
outer wall of the shrine itself, a useful indication of its comparative
dimensions.
The small temple here delineated is essentially an outgrowth of the
same type as that of the dove-shrines. As to the question whether it, too,
had an altar on the roof we have no evidence, but otherwise the fresco has
preserved enough of its construction to enable us to reconstitute the facade
or else they are patterns decorating the doors.' the openings remains a problem.1,
.Still, Dr. Schuchhardt admitted'the position 1 1*. 136.
of the columns themselves in the centre of