DOI Seite / Zitierlink:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.7525#0176
The Prehistoric Tombs of Knossos.
553
to a curve. By accurately working out an extension of the existing curve in geometrical
progression, as far as the central axial line of the chamber from east to west, what appears
to be nearly if not exactly the complete curve may be arrived at. (See fig. 145.) This curve
would have a centi-e a little below the floor level (which is the starting point of the masonry),
dependent on the fact that neither here nor in the Treasury of Atreus at Mycenae is there
a vertically-faced course of masonry at the base, The slope begins at once. In the Treasury,
the initial slope is greater, and the centre of the curve in consequence still further below
the floor level.
From the working out of the aforesaid curve, the apex of the vault would be about
8 metres above the floor, so that the chamber would have approximately equal height and
length. Dr. Evans suggests that this is intentional, or, in other words, given the main
dimension of area, the height can be ascertained. Prom the evidence of the Treasury of
Atreus, which is nearly as high as its diameter, it appears probable that some such rule was
regarded in the construction of these chambers.
The existing stonework of the sloped sides of the chamber is built in heading courses,
except the lowest course, which is mostly of stretchers. This we should expect. It is notice-
able that the courses are not laid with horizontal beds, but that from below upwards the
beds have a constantly increasing downward slope towards the outside. (See fig. 145.) If
this principle were carried out to the crown of the vault, the topmost stones would have an
impossibly acute angle. We must therefore assume that the downward slope was corrected
at intervals, as indicated in the diagram. The downward slope was obviously introduced to
lessen the chance of the masonry falling inwards.
The evidence of the detached stones with cut-away faces, which were found lying about,
further tends to confirm the restoration shown. The sharpest angle found was 54J degrees,
which corresponds with the angle of the topmost course in the restoration. The structure of
the vault would diminish in thickness towards the top only on account of the increased cut-
away of the upper stones, as the upper beds of the stones found average about a metre in
width throughout. The courses may have diminished slightly in height towards the top,
and the vault may have been closed at the top by a layer of stone slabs, as shown in the
restoration. . •
This tomb differs from most of the mainland ones in that the dromos is taken down at a
steep slope in ground which is nearly level, and is not run horizontally into a hill-face. In
consequence the apex of the vault of the inner chamber must have risen some 8 feet or
9 feet above the present surface level. Even so, such a horizontally built oblong structure
would be stable, more so than a circular one, provided the sloped stones of the vault were
prevented from falling outwards by a certain amount of earth support. The soft rock-
cutting on all sides is roughly vertical, and the increasing- interspaces between it and the
receding walls of the structure were probably filled in with earth and stones rammed down,
after the same manner in which the backing for a retaining wall is formed.
The other parts of the structure now call for brief notice. The fore-hall was probably
roofed with stone slabs or lintels at the existing highest point, or at most a course higher,
4x2
553
to a curve. By accurately working out an extension of the existing curve in geometrical
progression, as far as the central axial line of the chamber from east to west, what appears
to be nearly if not exactly the complete curve may be arrived at. (See fig. 145.) This curve
would have a centi-e a little below the floor level (which is the starting point of the masonry),
dependent on the fact that neither here nor in the Treasury of Atreus at Mycenae is there
a vertically-faced course of masonry at the base, The slope begins at once. In the Treasury,
the initial slope is greater, and the centre of the curve in consequence still further below
the floor level.
From the working out of the aforesaid curve, the apex of the vault would be about
8 metres above the floor, so that the chamber would have approximately equal height and
length. Dr. Evans suggests that this is intentional, or, in other words, given the main
dimension of area, the height can be ascertained. Prom the evidence of the Treasury of
Atreus, which is nearly as high as its diameter, it appears probable that some such rule was
regarded in the construction of these chambers.
The existing stonework of the sloped sides of the chamber is built in heading courses,
except the lowest course, which is mostly of stretchers. This we should expect. It is notice-
able that the courses are not laid with horizontal beds, but that from below upwards the
beds have a constantly increasing downward slope towards the outside. (See fig. 145.) If
this principle were carried out to the crown of the vault, the topmost stones would have an
impossibly acute angle. We must therefore assume that the downward slope was corrected
at intervals, as indicated in the diagram. The downward slope was obviously introduced to
lessen the chance of the masonry falling inwards.
The evidence of the detached stones with cut-away faces, which were found lying about,
further tends to confirm the restoration shown. The sharpest angle found was 54J degrees,
which corresponds with the angle of the topmost course in the restoration. The structure of
the vault would diminish in thickness towards the top only on account of the increased cut-
away of the upper stones, as the upper beds of the stones found average about a metre in
width throughout. The courses may have diminished slightly in height towards the top,
and the vault may have been closed at the top by a layer of stone slabs, as shown in the
restoration. . •
This tomb differs from most of the mainland ones in that the dromos is taken down at a
steep slope in ground which is nearly level, and is not run horizontally into a hill-face. In
consequence the apex of the vault of the inner chamber must have risen some 8 feet or
9 feet above the present surface level. Even so, such a horizontally built oblong structure
would be stable, more so than a circular one, provided the sloped stones of the vault were
prevented from falling outwards by a certain amount of earth support. The soft rock-
cutting on all sides is roughly vertical, and the increasing- interspaces between it and the
receding walls of the structure were probably filled in with earth and stones rammed down,
after the same manner in which the backing for a retaining wall is formed.
The other parts of the structure now call for brief notice. The fore-hall was probably
roofed with stone slabs or lintels at the existing highest point, or at most a course higher,
4x2