DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.807#0280
(i 12. M. M. II : (D) The Loom-Weight Deposit: Later Ceramic
Phase (6) and Reaction of Wall-Painting.
Basement Chambers N. of Domestic Quarter; Stratified contents ;
M. M. Ill remains in tipper layers; Contents of lower Basements mature
M. M. II; 'Loom- Weight Deposit'—Evidences of religious connexion ; Minia-
ture Shrine and votive vessels; Painted plaster decoration and plaster Cist;
Ceramic characteristics of Deposit; The Palm Tree far ; Lunate frieze on
vessel; Imitations of painted plaster pattern ; Architectonic origin of bands of
disks ; Mature polychrome style—M.M. II h; Stellate flowers with pointed
petals ; Pottery from latest M. M. II deposits at Phaestos parallel with that
from Loom-Weight area ; Evidences of a contemporary catastrophe ; Imported
MinoaiL pottery at Kahun, &c, in Egypt represents earlier and later
M. M. II styles ; Origin of foliate bands from flower chains ; The A by do s
Vase from Xllth Dynasty Tomb ; Chronological conclusions.
The The best materials for the concluding phase of M.M. II ceramic art
I oom
Weight were supplied at Knossos by the contents of some deep basements on the
Base- Eastern slope, forming that architectural enclave to the North of the
ments. r. &
Domestic Quarter to which reference has-been made above.1 The principal
part of this area derives its name from the loom-weights that here came
to light in such abundance (See Plan and Section, Fig. 187 a, Fig. 187 b).
The discovery has been already noted of fine painted vessels and of the
miniature terra-cotta shrine in these basements, and it will be seen that there
is every reason to believe that one or more of the chambers above them and
from which most of these relics were derived bore a sanctuary character.
Later on, in the M.M. Ill Period, these structures, reinforced and inter-
sected by new and massive walls became the basis of what seems to have
been a great ' East Hall' of the Palace on a higher level. The outer
walls of this later building followed the old lines ; one of them, however,
divides the original Basement of the Loom-WTeights into two sections (see
Plan, Fig. 187 a). The level of the basement floors of this new building,
which consisted of plaster, was 2-20 metres above the earlier pavement, and
was separated from the uppermost deposit containing M.M. II relics by
some 70 centimetres of filling earth. Above the M.M. Ill basement floor,
1 See above, p. 221.
Phase (6) and Reaction of Wall-Painting.
Basement Chambers N. of Domestic Quarter; Stratified contents ;
M. M. Ill remains in tipper layers; Contents of lower Basements mature
M. M. II; 'Loom- Weight Deposit'—Evidences of religious connexion ; Minia-
ture Shrine and votive vessels; Painted plaster decoration and plaster Cist;
Ceramic characteristics of Deposit; The Palm Tree far ; Lunate frieze on
vessel; Imitations of painted plaster pattern ; Architectonic origin of bands of
disks ; Mature polychrome style—M.M. II h; Stellate flowers with pointed
petals ; Pottery from latest M. M. II deposits at Phaestos parallel with that
from Loom-Weight area ; Evidences of a contemporary catastrophe ; Imported
MinoaiL pottery at Kahun, &c, in Egypt represents earlier and later
M. M. II styles ; Origin of foliate bands from flower chains ; The A by do s
Vase from Xllth Dynasty Tomb ; Chronological conclusions.
The The best materials for the concluding phase of M.M. II ceramic art
I oom
Weight were supplied at Knossos by the contents of some deep basements on the
Base- Eastern slope, forming that architectural enclave to the North of the
ments. r. &
Domestic Quarter to which reference has-been made above.1 The principal
part of this area derives its name from the loom-weights that here came
to light in such abundance (See Plan and Section, Fig. 187 a, Fig. 187 b).
The discovery has been already noted of fine painted vessels and of the
miniature terra-cotta shrine in these basements, and it will be seen that there
is every reason to believe that one or more of the chambers above them and
from which most of these relics were derived bore a sanctuary character.
Later on, in the M.M. Ill Period, these structures, reinforced and inter-
sected by new and massive walls became the basis of what seems to have
been a great ' East Hall' of the Palace on a higher level. The outer
walls of this later building followed the old lines ; one of them, however,
divides the original Basement of the Loom-WTeights into two sections (see
Plan, Fig. 187 a). The level of the basement floors of this new building,
which consisted of plaster, was 2-20 metres above the earlier pavement, and
was separated from the uppermost deposit containing M.M. II relics by
some 70 centimetres of filling earth. Above the M.M. Ill basement floor,
1 See above, p. 221.