DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.8757#0062
36
THE TOMB OF THE DOUBLE AXES
One of the first features to strike the eye in this interesting- sepulchral
chamber is its perspective arrangement. The example set by the gradually
expanding lines of the entrance passage seems here to have been followed in
laying out the chamber itself, with a certain accentuation of angles. The main
axial lines of the chamber thus radiate from its entrance side, as if to give greater
scope for the tripartite distribution of its inner border. This nicely adjusted
radiation of the perspective lines in the case of the present tomb contrasts with
the quadrangular outlines of other sepulchral chambers of the same group. The
perspective of the central pillar, however, finds a close parallel in Tomb 6.
Immediately opposite the doorway, and dividing the back part of the cham-
ber into two recesses, is a projecting buttress of soft rock. Whether this projection
was actually necessitated or not by some rotten conditions in the roof, it is clear
that the intention here was to assimilate it with the central supporting pillars
either of the 'Pillar Rooms' so characteristic of Minoan buildings, which in
many cases are clearly shown to have had a religious connexion, or of chambers
with a central column answering to them on the floor above. This central pier, as
already noticed, is itself paralleled by a similar projection in Tomb 6. In the
present case, however, a remarkable detail is added to the pier. On the face of
the rock buttress was cut a half column in low relief, an entirely new feature
in Minoan tombs (fig. 49, and see pi. VI). The column was preserved to
a height of about i-<So m., but unfortunately, owing to the falling in of the centre
of the vault, was broken away about the point where the capital may have been
cut out. This column seems to mark the chamber as a symbolic reproduction,
not so much of the crypt below with its supporting pillar, as of the columnar
sanctuary itself.
The half column here cut on the face of the pier differs from the ordinary
type of Minoan and Mycenaean column, as illustrated by a numerous series ol
representations in frescoes, ivory reliefs and gems, in showing no signs of a taper
towards its base. Roughly, its two outlines seem to have been laid out as
parallel, and as a matter of fact, according to Mr. Doll's very careful measure-
ments (see pi. VI), the diameter of the base in this case is slightly greater than
that of the summit, 0-285 m- as against 0-265.
The roof of the chamber had fallen in, but from the remaining indications
of the cutting in the soft rock, visible above the top of the column on one side,
and of the doorway on the other, the central part of the chamber seems to have
had a barrel vaulting running north and south. It is thus restored in Mr. Doll's
sections (figs. 50 and 51).
A sketch1 showing a general view of the interior of the tomb when opened
is given in fig. 52.
1 By Monsieur E. Gillieron.
THE TOMB OF THE DOUBLE AXES
One of the first features to strike the eye in this interesting- sepulchral
chamber is its perspective arrangement. The example set by the gradually
expanding lines of the entrance passage seems here to have been followed in
laying out the chamber itself, with a certain accentuation of angles. The main
axial lines of the chamber thus radiate from its entrance side, as if to give greater
scope for the tripartite distribution of its inner border. This nicely adjusted
radiation of the perspective lines in the case of the present tomb contrasts with
the quadrangular outlines of other sepulchral chambers of the same group. The
perspective of the central pillar, however, finds a close parallel in Tomb 6.
Immediately opposite the doorway, and dividing the back part of the cham-
ber into two recesses, is a projecting buttress of soft rock. Whether this projection
was actually necessitated or not by some rotten conditions in the roof, it is clear
that the intention here was to assimilate it with the central supporting pillars
either of the 'Pillar Rooms' so characteristic of Minoan buildings, which in
many cases are clearly shown to have had a religious connexion, or of chambers
with a central column answering to them on the floor above. This central pier, as
already noticed, is itself paralleled by a similar projection in Tomb 6. In the
present case, however, a remarkable detail is added to the pier. On the face of
the rock buttress was cut a half column in low relief, an entirely new feature
in Minoan tombs (fig. 49, and see pi. VI). The column was preserved to
a height of about i-<So m., but unfortunately, owing to the falling in of the centre
of the vault, was broken away about the point where the capital may have been
cut out. This column seems to mark the chamber as a symbolic reproduction,
not so much of the crypt below with its supporting pillar, as of the columnar
sanctuary itself.
The half column here cut on the face of the pier differs from the ordinary
type of Minoan and Mycenaean column, as illustrated by a numerous series ol
representations in frescoes, ivory reliefs and gems, in showing no signs of a taper
towards its base. Roughly, its two outlines seem to have been laid out as
parallel, and as a matter of fact, according to Mr. Doll's very careful measure-
ments (see pi. VI), the diameter of the base in this case is slightly greater than
that of the summit, 0-285 m- as against 0-265.
The roof of the chamber had fallen in, but from the remaining indications
of the cutting in the soft rock, visible above the top of the column on one side,
and of the doorway on the other, the central part of the chamber seems to have
had a barrel vaulting running north and south. It is thus restored in Mr. Doll's
sections (figs. 50 and 51).
A sketch1 showing a general view of the interior of the tomb when opened
is given in fig. 52.
1 By Monsieur E. Gillieron.