DOI Seite / Zitierlink:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.8755#0108
Knossos Excavations, 1903.
97
design is the translation into colour of the incised pattern on Nos. 9 and 10
(Fig. 66a).
(12) Upper part, apparently, of larger jar of the same class as the preceding
except that two of the handles are at a higher level than the other pair. This vase
is covered with polished brown slip with white designs, including the same pattern
as the preceding. In addition to this are white circles with interior hatching.
Inside, the jar shows the plain pale buff colour of the clay (Fig. 65^).
(13) A series of nine vases with high spouts cut off flat at the top, varying in
height from about 12 to 20 centimetres. The ground here is the pale buff colour
of the clay on which are painted in dark brown slightly lustrous pigment, in
addition to the usual bands, hatched ' butterfly ' designs, the immediate derivatives of
the double-triangles seen on the preceding (Fig. 66^, d,f).
These vases were in several cases finished off to the required tapering form
below the shoulders by means of paring, with a somewhat lateral motion. This
paring process is also very characteristic of the cups of the same period.1
(14) Vase of the same type as the last, but with decoration in the form of two
arches consisting of dark brown curving bands on the plain buff clay (Fig.66^).
This seems to supply the prototype for the arched decoration of an advanced
polychrome vase of 'Middle Minoan ' character found with Xllth dynasty remains
at Kahun.2
Certain cups and other small vessels, showing the same paring of their lower
circumference, must also be referred to the earlier period of this deposit. Other
plain vases of somewhat rough execution are more difficult to place.
The pyxis and lids of this deposit, w ith their incised and punctuated
decorations showing the white filling, are of special interest as affording a link
of connexion with the earliest Metal Age of the Cyclades. Similar pyxides
in Amorgos, Melos, Paros and elsewhere are the frequent concomitants of
tomb groups further characterised by the marble figures and vases of the
regular Cycladic style. The incised and punctuated decorations here
shown also agree very closely with those of ceramic fabrics of this more
northerly ^Egean group. The ornament of the complete lid, for instance,
No. 8 above (Fig. 65c), shows a decided parallelism with that on the back of
a clay ' mirror' from Syra.3 These correspondences point to an approxi-
mate synchronism between the transitional Early Minoan Period and that
phase of Cycladic culture which is marked by the first beginnings of metal.
It is however noteworthy that on the Cretan ceramic types represented in
the present deposit there is no trace of the spiral decorations found
in the parallel Cycladic group, at least on its more advanced products.
As illustrating the evolution of the primitive geometrical painted
1 Cf. Mackenzie, 'The Pottery of Knossos,'J.H.S., xxiii., p. 166.
2 Petrie, ' Egyptian Bases of Greek History,' J.U.S., xi., PI. xiv., Fig. 6.
3 Tsountas, KintXaSi/ca ii., PI. 9, 4.
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97
design is the translation into colour of the incised pattern on Nos. 9 and 10
(Fig. 66a).
(12) Upper part, apparently, of larger jar of the same class as the preceding
except that two of the handles are at a higher level than the other pair. This vase
is covered with polished brown slip with white designs, including the same pattern
as the preceding. In addition to this are white circles with interior hatching.
Inside, the jar shows the plain pale buff colour of the clay (Fig. 65^).
(13) A series of nine vases with high spouts cut off flat at the top, varying in
height from about 12 to 20 centimetres. The ground here is the pale buff colour
of the clay on which are painted in dark brown slightly lustrous pigment, in
addition to the usual bands, hatched ' butterfly ' designs, the immediate derivatives of
the double-triangles seen on the preceding (Fig. 66^, d,f).
These vases were in several cases finished off to the required tapering form
below the shoulders by means of paring, with a somewhat lateral motion. This
paring process is also very characteristic of the cups of the same period.1
(14) Vase of the same type as the last, but with decoration in the form of two
arches consisting of dark brown curving bands on the plain buff clay (Fig.66^).
This seems to supply the prototype for the arched decoration of an advanced
polychrome vase of 'Middle Minoan ' character found with Xllth dynasty remains
at Kahun.2
Certain cups and other small vessels, showing the same paring of their lower
circumference, must also be referred to the earlier period of this deposit. Other
plain vases of somewhat rough execution are more difficult to place.
The pyxis and lids of this deposit, w ith their incised and punctuated
decorations showing the white filling, are of special interest as affording a link
of connexion with the earliest Metal Age of the Cyclades. Similar pyxides
in Amorgos, Melos, Paros and elsewhere are the frequent concomitants of
tomb groups further characterised by the marble figures and vases of the
regular Cycladic style. The incised and punctuated decorations here
shown also agree very closely with those of ceramic fabrics of this more
northerly ^Egean group. The ornament of the complete lid, for instance,
No. 8 above (Fig. 65c), shows a decided parallelism with that on the back of
a clay ' mirror' from Syra.3 These correspondences point to an approxi-
mate synchronism between the transitional Early Minoan Period and that
phase of Cycladic culture which is marked by the first beginnings of metal.
It is however noteworthy that on the Cretan ceramic types represented in
the present deposit there is no trace of the spiral decorations found
in the parallel Cycladic group, at least on its more advanced products.
As illustrating the evolution of the primitive geometrical painted
1 Cf. Mackenzie, 'The Pottery of Knossos,'J.H.S., xxiii., p. 166.
2 Petrie, ' Egyptian Bases of Greek History,' J.U.S., xi., PI. xiv., Fig. 6.
3 Tsountas, KintXaSi/ca ii., PI. 9, 4.
H