DOI Seite / Zitierlink:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.807#0079
54
THE PALACE OF MINOS, ETC.
Neolithic
Stone
Imple-
ments in
Crete.
Range of
Stone
Maces.
Chryso-
colla
stud.
and which precede in date the class of stone figures, are seen to have
collateral relationships far to the East of the Aegean.
At the same time, the indications thus supplied of conformity in custom
and belief entirely coincide with the linguistic evidence which brings what
seems to have been the predominant element in the aboriginal population of
Crete into near relationship with the Carians and their kin.
Similar affinities are also shown by certain forms of stone implements.
Typical examples of Neolithic implements from the site of Knossos are
given in Fig. 15 a} The stones principally used are greenstone, serpentine,
diorite, jadeite, and especially for the smaller implements, such as chisels or
adzes (Fig. 15 a, 4, 5), haematite. Obsidian wras used for knives and arrow-
heads, and the abundance of cores of this material shows that it was worked
on the spot. The ' celts ' are of two main types. One (No. 1) is thick and
heavy, with the butt end much roughened to facilitate hafting. The other
(Nos. 2, 3) is shorter and broader. The most distinctive of the stone im-
plements, however, are the maces (Nos. 6, 7, 8), generally found in a broken
condition. In some cases the early biconical form of bonnes is well-marked
(No. 6) and contrasts with the tubular drilling of later Minoan times. The
finding of stone maces among the Neolithic implements is of special interest
as a link of connexion with the Anatolian side. Stone maces, which in
Greece proper make their appearance about the beginning of the Age of
Metals,2 seem to have had a much earlier history on the side of Asia Minor.
Their use w^as also characteristic of early Chaldaea, and they recur in pre-
historic and proto-dynastic Egypt.
The stone maces seem to be more characteristic of the later Neolithic
phase in Crete,3 and it is possible that in this case the usage may have
gradually infiltrated from the Asianic side.
A discovery made in 1913 at a depth of 5-75 metres beneath the
northern border of the Central Court at Knossos shows that the taste for
brilliant and exceptional materials so characteristic of Early Minoan times
was already rife among the Neolithic inhabitants. Here, in close association
with a serpentine celt and with black hand-polished pottery, some of it inlaid,
1 The materials of the specimens on Fig. 1 5 a
are as follows : 1. greenstone ; 2, 3. serpentine ;
4, 5. haematite; 6. black and white breccia;
7. black stone with white quartzite veins ; 8.
greenstone.
2 Tsuntas, Al Upo'icrTopiKal 'AK/oo7roA.eis Al/jlt]-
vlov Kal ^ZeaxXov, pp. 322, 323.
3 Stone maces continued in use during the
Early Metal Age in Crete, the later examples
being characterized by their straight perfora-
tion, due to the use of the tubular drill. That
they continued at least in occasional use in
Crete down to Late Minoan times is shown
by the occurrence of a fine, faceted specimen
in the Mace-bearer's tomb at Isopata. See Tomb
of the Double Axes, &*c., Quaritch, 1914, p. 18,
Fig- 25-
THE PALACE OF MINOS, ETC.
Neolithic
Stone
Imple-
ments in
Crete.
Range of
Stone
Maces.
Chryso-
colla
stud.
and which precede in date the class of stone figures, are seen to have
collateral relationships far to the East of the Aegean.
At the same time, the indications thus supplied of conformity in custom
and belief entirely coincide with the linguistic evidence which brings what
seems to have been the predominant element in the aboriginal population of
Crete into near relationship with the Carians and their kin.
Similar affinities are also shown by certain forms of stone implements.
Typical examples of Neolithic implements from the site of Knossos are
given in Fig. 15 a} The stones principally used are greenstone, serpentine,
diorite, jadeite, and especially for the smaller implements, such as chisels or
adzes (Fig. 15 a, 4, 5), haematite. Obsidian wras used for knives and arrow-
heads, and the abundance of cores of this material shows that it was worked
on the spot. The ' celts ' are of two main types. One (No. 1) is thick and
heavy, with the butt end much roughened to facilitate hafting. The other
(Nos. 2, 3) is shorter and broader. The most distinctive of the stone im-
plements, however, are the maces (Nos. 6, 7, 8), generally found in a broken
condition. In some cases the early biconical form of bonnes is well-marked
(No. 6) and contrasts with the tubular drilling of later Minoan times. The
finding of stone maces among the Neolithic implements is of special interest
as a link of connexion with the Anatolian side. Stone maces, which in
Greece proper make their appearance about the beginning of the Age of
Metals,2 seem to have had a much earlier history on the side of Asia Minor.
Their use w^as also characteristic of early Chaldaea, and they recur in pre-
historic and proto-dynastic Egypt.
The stone maces seem to be more characteristic of the later Neolithic
phase in Crete,3 and it is possible that in this case the usage may have
gradually infiltrated from the Asianic side.
A discovery made in 1913 at a depth of 5-75 metres beneath the
northern border of the Central Court at Knossos shows that the taste for
brilliant and exceptional materials so characteristic of Early Minoan times
was already rife among the Neolithic inhabitants. Here, in close association
with a serpentine celt and with black hand-polished pottery, some of it inlaid,
1 The materials of the specimens on Fig. 1 5 a
are as follows : 1. greenstone ; 2, 3. serpentine ;
4, 5. haematite; 6. black and white breccia;
7. black stone with white quartzite veins ; 8.
greenstone.
2 Tsuntas, Al Upo'icrTopiKal 'AK/oo7roA.eis Al/jlt]-
vlov Kal ^ZeaxXov, pp. 322, 323.
3 Stone maces continued in use during the
Early Metal Age in Crete, the later examples
being characterized by their straight perfora-
tion, due to the use of the tubular drill. That
they continued at least in occasional use in
Crete down to Late Minoan times is shown
by the occurrence of a fine, faceted specimen
in the Mace-bearer's tomb at Isopata. See Tomb
of the Double Axes, &*c., Quaritch, 1914, p. 18,
Fig- 25-