DOI Seite / Zitierlink:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.8755#0112
Knossos Excavations, 1903.
IOI
represented one pillar of a central entrance to the area itself on the West side.
The paved path which leads to this area from the West and, as will be seen,
symmetrically divides its rectangle into two equal parts, enters it immedi-
ately in front of this pier.
These combined indications make it reasonable to assume that the
Western section of the South steps ended at this point and was sym-
metrical in width with the section East of the Central entrance on that
side. It would thus appear that the original breadth of the three lowest
tiers1 was about 16-50 metres; that of the fourth step—which was con-
tinued to the Western limit of the entrance passage—about 9/50 metres ;
and that of the fifth and sixth, 6 metres.
The square bastion which has been already mentioned as occupying
the angle between the Southern and Eastern flights of steps is faced on its
West side by a lower ledge of masonry which steps down Northwards.
The bastion itself is built of good limestone masonry, four courses of which
are preserved at its North-West angle. Upon blocks of its Southern side
are cut two signs, the Double Axe and the branch, in the style of the
first period of the Later Palace.2 The upper surface of the bastion
showed remains of good paving, on a level with the topmost step of the
East flight, and near here were found some fragments of painted stucco. It
looks as if this raised platform may have been surmounted by a decorated
canopy. From its commanding central position it was the point best
adapted for surveying any shows that may have taken place in the area
below, and we may perhaps regard it as having served as a kind of
Royal Box.
From the North-Eastern corner of this bastion, which corresponds
with the sixteenth step of the Eastern flight, a stone runnel, altogether
similar in construction to that of the Eastern Bastion of the Palace,3
follows the edge of the descending steps in a series of parabolas.4 At the
1 Excepting a small strip cut out of the first step by the keying in of the lower steps of the
Eastern flight.
2 They are somewhat finely cut, but of the usual calibre. The axe is 20 centimetres in width.
In the neighbouring Palace area were also found broken blocks belonging to earlier constructions
with a Double Axe of archaic form, a deep-cut 'star' sign 26 centimetres in diameter and a
' zigzag' sign also deeply cut, 26 centimetres by 3.
3 See Report, &c, 1902, p. m seqq. and Figs. 67, 68. Another similar runnel was found
this year by the remains of a staircase in the South-East quarter, below the ' Court of the
Sanctuary.'
4 Dr. Mackenzie observes that ' the highest point of the parabolic curve comes at the transi-
tion from one step to another.'
IOI
represented one pillar of a central entrance to the area itself on the West side.
The paved path which leads to this area from the West and, as will be seen,
symmetrically divides its rectangle into two equal parts, enters it immedi-
ately in front of this pier.
These combined indications make it reasonable to assume that the
Western section of the South steps ended at this point and was sym-
metrical in width with the section East of the Central entrance on that
side. It would thus appear that the original breadth of the three lowest
tiers1 was about 16-50 metres; that of the fourth step—which was con-
tinued to the Western limit of the entrance passage—about 9/50 metres ;
and that of the fifth and sixth, 6 metres.
The square bastion which has been already mentioned as occupying
the angle between the Southern and Eastern flights of steps is faced on its
West side by a lower ledge of masonry which steps down Northwards.
The bastion itself is built of good limestone masonry, four courses of which
are preserved at its North-West angle. Upon blocks of its Southern side
are cut two signs, the Double Axe and the branch, in the style of the
first period of the Later Palace.2 The upper surface of the bastion
showed remains of good paving, on a level with the topmost step of the
East flight, and near here were found some fragments of painted stucco. It
looks as if this raised platform may have been surmounted by a decorated
canopy. From its commanding central position it was the point best
adapted for surveying any shows that may have taken place in the area
below, and we may perhaps regard it as having served as a kind of
Royal Box.
From the North-Eastern corner of this bastion, which corresponds
with the sixteenth step of the Eastern flight, a stone runnel, altogether
similar in construction to that of the Eastern Bastion of the Palace,3
follows the edge of the descending steps in a series of parabolas.4 At the
1 Excepting a small strip cut out of the first step by the keying in of the lower steps of the
Eastern flight.
2 They are somewhat finely cut, but of the usual calibre. The axe is 20 centimetres in width.
In the neighbouring Palace area were also found broken blocks belonging to earlier constructions
with a Double Axe of archaic form, a deep-cut 'star' sign 26 centimetres in diameter and a
' zigzag' sign also deeply cut, 26 centimetres by 3.
3 See Report, &c, 1902, p. m seqq. and Figs. 67, 68. Another similar runnel was found
this year by the remains of a staircase in the South-East quarter, below the ' Court of the
Sanctuary.'
4 Dr. Mackenzie observes that ' the highest point of the parabolic curve comes at the transi-
tion from one step to another.'