DOI Seite / Zitierlink:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.8755#0047
36
A. J. Evans
the leading feature of this region. The fact that at least in the latest
Palace Period they also served a constructive end as ' Pillars of the House '
does not, as has been shown elsewhere, militate against this view. The
discoveries of analogous pillar rooms in separate houses, such as the Palace
dependances brought to light this year,1 tend to confirm it. On the other
hand, the exceptional distribution of the Double Axe sign on the blocks of
the Western Palace wing, coupled with other circumstances, seems to mark
out a certain definite area of this region as consecrated to a religious usage.
The same fetish emblem is in fact the special sign of the first six Maga-
zines, which stand in immediate connexion with the system of small
chambers and passages immediately surrounding the Pillar Rooms. It is
also the distinguishing sign of the gypsum slabs that form the inner lining
of the section of the West Palace wall that backs this series of Magazines.
It seems not improbable therefore that these Magazines served in a special
way as treasuries and storehouses of a sanctuary. An indication indeed of
peculiar sanctity may be taken to be supplied by the fact that an altar-
base was placed close to the outer wall in this part of the Western Court,
immediately against a small niche outside the end of the Fourth Magazine.
It is further to be observed that the Western-most series (A) of the
Kaselles of the Long Gallery,2 which certainly contained treasure,
corresponds to this particular section of the Magazines. East of this
section, as already shown, the character of the Cists in the Long Gallery
changes, implying a different application.
To the South the Pillar Room area is immediately flanked by three
small Magazines of early character where the characteristic sign is the cross
pattee to which the discoveries to be described below seem to add a new
significance. It is moreover shut in on this side by a small court in the
centre of which is another altar-base. It should further be borne in mind
that in a small square chamber near the East Pillar room was found a deposit
of stone vases which seem from their material and weight better adapted
for ritual or ceremonial usage than for the purposes of ordinary life. Two
of these indeed by their form suggest certain typical concomitants of
Minoan cult. The marble fountain spout in the shape of a lioness's head
stands naturally in relation to the lion guardians of the divine pair, or of
their ba;tylic column, as seen on the seal impressions, signets, and other
monuments. The alabaster vase in the shape of a Triton shell recalls its ritual
1 See p. 9 and p. 149 seqq. 2 See above, pp. 31-33.
A. J. Evans
the leading feature of this region. The fact that at least in the latest
Palace Period they also served a constructive end as ' Pillars of the House '
does not, as has been shown elsewhere, militate against this view. The
discoveries of analogous pillar rooms in separate houses, such as the Palace
dependances brought to light this year,1 tend to confirm it. On the other
hand, the exceptional distribution of the Double Axe sign on the blocks of
the Western Palace wing, coupled with other circumstances, seems to mark
out a certain definite area of this region as consecrated to a religious usage.
The same fetish emblem is in fact the special sign of the first six Maga-
zines, which stand in immediate connexion with the system of small
chambers and passages immediately surrounding the Pillar Rooms. It is
also the distinguishing sign of the gypsum slabs that form the inner lining
of the section of the West Palace wall that backs this series of Magazines.
It seems not improbable therefore that these Magazines served in a special
way as treasuries and storehouses of a sanctuary. An indication indeed of
peculiar sanctity may be taken to be supplied by the fact that an altar-
base was placed close to the outer wall in this part of the Western Court,
immediately against a small niche outside the end of the Fourth Magazine.
It is further to be observed that the Western-most series (A) of the
Kaselles of the Long Gallery,2 which certainly contained treasure,
corresponds to this particular section of the Magazines. East of this
section, as already shown, the character of the Cists in the Long Gallery
changes, implying a different application.
To the South the Pillar Room area is immediately flanked by three
small Magazines of early character where the characteristic sign is the cross
pattee to which the discoveries to be described below seem to add a new
significance. It is moreover shut in on this side by a small court in the
centre of which is another altar-base. It should further be borne in mind
that in a small square chamber near the East Pillar room was found a deposit
of stone vases which seem from their material and weight better adapted
for ritual or ceremonial usage than for the purposes of ordinary life. Two
of these indeed by their form suggest certain typical concomitants of
Minoan cult. The marble fountain spout in the shape of a lioness's head
stands naturally in relation to the lion guardians of the divine pair, or of
their ba;tylic column, as seen on the seal impressions, signets, and other
monuments. The alabaster vase in the shape of a Triton shell recalls its ritual
1 See p. 9 and p. 149 seqq. 2 See above, pp. 31-33.