DOI Seite / Zitierlink:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.7525#0179
556
The Prehistoric Tombs of Knossos.
Vases of these fine igneous formations are conspicuous by their absence in the
considerable store of stone vessels found in the later Palace of Knossos. On
the other hand they fit on to a much more ancient group represented among the
remains of the earlier Palace. Among these may be mentioned a syenite pot
which in Professor Petrie's opinion is an Egyptian fabric of one of the early
Dynasties, and parts of two exquisite bowls of diorite and liparite, not to be
distinguished from the finest fabrics of the kind discovered in the royal tombs
of the first four Dynasties of Egypt. It is possible that in one or the other case
we have to deal with Cretan copies of these early forms, and that such may
have continued in use to a later age than the Egyptian prototypes. But the
evidence from the Palace site at Knossos clearly tends to show that vases of
this class did not continue to be in vogue, at least beyond the limits of the
Middle Minoan Period. Even heirlooms of the kind must have had a tendency to
disappear.
Indications such as the above strongly point to the conclusion that the
Isopata tomb itself goes back to an earlier period than that represented by the
vases in the later Palace Style. Nor do these indications, supplied by objects
found within it, stand alone. A valuable piece of evidence tending in the
same direction is afforded by certain signs cut on the blocks of which the tomb
was constructed. A comparative study of the signs on the blocks of the earlier
and later Palaces of Knossos and of the successive phases of each brings out the
fact that the work of each period may be roughly distinguished by the character
of these marks. Particular signs were prevalent during certain periods. The
method of cutting, moreover, at least in its broad aspects, underwent a gradual
modification. The signs of the earliest period are as a rule large and broadly
cut, like those on the block described above from a grave at Zafer Papoura.
(Fig. 9.) Those of the intermediate age show more or less transitional types,
while the latest class are of smaller dimensions and finer incision/
Several different signs are cut on the blocks of the Royal Tomb, and the
character of these corresponds with those of the intermediate class. This class
a The question as to how far these signs are to be regarded as ordinary masons' marks or to
what extent they may be held to have a religious significances is beyond the scope of the present
paper. It is evident that some of the forms correspond with characters of the conventionalised
pictographic script of contemporary seals and clay documents. At the same time from the manner
in which they were used on the blocks of Minoan buildings it seems reasonable to conclude that they
stood rather for signs than letters. It is clear that some of them, like the double-axe, had a religious
value.
The Prehistoric Tombs of Knossos.
Vases of these fine igneous formations are conspicuous by their absence in the
considerable store of stone vessels found in the later Palace of Knossos. On
the other hand they fit on to a much more ancient group represented among the
remains of the earlier Palace. Among these may be mentioned a syenite pot
which in Professor Petrie's opinion is an Egyptian fabric of one of the early
Dynasties, and parts of two exquisite bowls of diorite and liparite, not to be
distinguished from the finest fabrics of the kind discovered in the royal tombs
of the first four Dynasties of Egypt. It is possible that in one or the other case
we have to deal with Cretan copies of these early forms, and that such may
have continued in use to a later age than the Egyptian prototypes. But the
evidence from the Palace site at Knossos clearly tends to show that vases of
this class did not continue to be in vogue, at least beyond the limits of the
Middle Minoan Period. Even heirlooms of the kind must have had a tendency to
disappear.
Indications such as the above strongly point to the conclusion that the
Isopata tomb itself goes back to an earlier period than that represented by the
vases in the later Palace Style. Nor do these indications, supplied by objects
found within it, stand alone. A valuable piece of evidence tending in the
same direction is afforded by certain signs cut on the blocks of which the tomb
was constructed. A comparative study of the signs on the blocks of the earlier
and later Palaces of Knossos and of the successive phases of each brings out the
fact that the work of each period may be roughly distinguished by the character
of these marks. Particular signs were prevalent during certain periods. The
method of cutting, moreover, at least in its broad aspects, underwent a gradual
modification. The signs of the earliest period are as a rule large and broadly
cut, like those on the block described above from a grave at Zafer Papoura.
(Fig. 9.) Those of the intermediate age show more or less transitional types,
while the latest class are of smaller dimensions and finer incision/
Several different signs are cut on the blocks of the Royal Tomb, and the
character of these corresponds with those of the intermediate class. This class
a The question as to how far these signs are to be regarded as ordinary masons' marks or to
what extent they may be held to have a religious significances is beyond the scope of the present
paper. It is evident that some of the forms correspond with characters of the conventionalised
pictographic script of contemporary seals and clay documents. At the same time from the manner
in which they were used on the blocks of Minoan buildings it seems reasonable to conclude that they
stood rather for signs than letters. It is clear that some of them, like the double-axe, had a religious
value.