DOI Seite / Zitierlink:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.7525#0020
410
The Prehistoric Tombs of Knossos.
graves that we see here represent fixed and thoroughly developed types that
must have had a long independent history, and are not merely slight modifications
of a single prevalent form, due to local convenience. As a matter of fact the
character of the ground at Zafer Papoura does not vary sufficiently to explain
the divergence in the types of graves. It is true that the tombs of the different
classes are to a certain extent distributed in groups, the south-east part of the
area being for instance exclusively occupied by chamber-tombs, while some
Fig. V2~b. Longitudinal section of Pit-Cave (No. 7).
clusters of shaft-graves and pit-caves occur together in the northern section. (See
plan, fig. 108.) In this latter area, however, chamber-tombs are also found, and
in one case a shaft-grave has been dug above and partly into a slightly earlier
chamber-tomb, while chamber-tombs of somewhat later date have in two instances
invaded pit-caves.
There was then no inherent reason for this divergence of type to have
produced itself on the present site. We must rather suppose that we have here
to deal with three principal groups of families or clans who in the course of their
past history had had to deal with different topographical conditions. Some, it
The Prehistoric Tombs of Knossos.
graves that we see here represent fixed and thoroughly developed types that
must have had a long independent history, and are not merely slight modifications
of a single prevalent form, due to local convenience. As a matter of fact the
character of the ground at Zafer Papoura does not vary sufficiently to explain
the divergence in the types of graves. It is true that the tombs of the different
classes are to a certain extent distributed in groups, the south-east part of the
area being for instance exclusively occupied by chamber-tombs, while some
Fig. V2~b. Longitudinal section of Pit-Cave (No. 7).
clusters of shaft-graves and pit-caves occur together in the northern section. (See
plan, fig. 108.) In this latter area, however, chamber-tombs are also found, and
in one case a shaft-grave has been dug above and partly into a slightly earlier
chamber-tomb, while chamber-tombs of somewhat later date have in two instances
invaded pit-caves.
There was then no inherent reason for this divergence of type to have
produced itself on the present site. We must rather suppose that we have here
to deal with three principal groups of families or clans who in the course of their
past history had had to deal with different topographical conditions. Some, it