DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.807#0239
212
THE PALACE OF MINOS, ETC.
Re-used
Exam-
ples.
early M. M. Ill date of which is well ascertained (Fig. 156). It has been
suggested below that though probably of earlier origin these were immediately
derived from a M. M. Ill a 'East Hall'. Their top diameter was 58 cm.
and their height 34 cm., and they were cut out of the black breccia with orange
red and white veins from the quarries of the Kakon Oros, the promontory
that overlooks the site of the sea-town of Knossos on the East. Another
column base identical in its material and original dimensions came to light
in situ on the stylobate of the neighbouring ' North-East Portico' or
' Loggia', ascribed below to the same epoch1 (Fig. 208 and Suppl. PI. VIII).
It is noteworthy, however, that in this case a ledge is visible on its upper
Fig. 156. Early Column Base of
Breccia from Spiral Fresco Area.
Fig. 157. Column Base of Ledged Type
from E. Border of East Portico.
Disuse of
Breccia,
&c.
Column
Bases at
Close of
M. M. III.
circumference, showing that it had been readapted to fit a somewhat smaller
wooden shaft than that for which it had been originally designed.
It is not improbable that all three of these bases may, as in other cases,
have been taken over from an earlier Palace construction, since we know that
the Spiral Fresco area was occupied by an important M. M. II Sanctuary.
A specimen has been placed here in Fig. 156, as in any case representing an
Early Palace type. The great hardness of the material explains the tendency,
noteworthy also at Phaestos,- to re-use such bases. When, however, in the
closing M. M. Ill phase and the Late Minoan Age the effect produced by
painted stucco imitation was thought adequate for decorative materials, such
1 See p. 370.
2 A series of broken or^ecut column bases irom the earlier Palace are seen at Phaestos
by the Central Court.
THE PALACE OF MINOS, ETC.
Re-used
Exam-
ples.
early M. M. Ill date of which is well ascertained (Fig. 156). It has been
suggested below that though probably of earlier origin these were immediately
derived from a M. M. Ill a 'East Hall'. Their top diameter was 58 cm.
and their height 34 cm., and they were cut out of the black breccia with orange
red and white veins from the quarries of the Kakon Oros, the promontory
that overlooks the site of the sea-town of Knossos on the East. Another
column base identical in its material and original dimensions came to light
in situ on the stylobate of the neighbouring ' North-East Portico' or
' Loggia', ascribed below to the same epoch1 (Fig. 208 and Suppl. PI. VIII).
It is noteworthy, however, that in this case a ledge is visible on its upper
Fig. 156. Early Column Base of
Breccia from Spiral Fresco Area.
Fig. 157. Column Base of Ledged Type
from E. Border of East Portico.
Disuse of
Breccia,
&c.
Column
Bases at
Close of
M. M. III.
circumference, showing that it had been readapted to fit a somewhat smaller
wooden shaft than that for which it had been originally designed.
It is not improbable that all three of these bases may, as in other cases,
have been taken over from an earlier Palace construction, since we know that
the Spiral Fresco area was occupied by an important M. M. II Sanctuary.
A specimen has been placed here in Fig. 156, as in any case representing an
Early Palace type. The great hardness of the material explains the tendency,
noteworthy also at Phaestos,- to re-use such bases. When, however, in the
closing M. M. Ill phase and the Late Minoan Age the effect produced by
painted stucco imitation was thought adequate for decorative materials, such
1 See p. 370.
2 A series of broken or^ecut column bases irom the earlier Palace are seen at Phaestos
by the Central Court.