Evans, Arthur J.: The Palace of Minos: a comparative account of the successive stages of the early Cretan civilization as illustred by the discoveries at Knossos (Band 1): The Neolithic and Early and Middle Minoan Ages (London, 1921)

M. M. II: HIEROGLYPHIC DEPOSIT: SEALINGS & SEALS 283

to the storage of oil, and much of the wealth of the Priest-Kings was probably
drawn from the export of oil to Egypt. An impression on a sealing (Fig-. 213)1
and an inscription on a perforated clay bar 2 have thus a special significance,
since in both cases the ' olive-spray ' sign is associated with a ship.

As has been shown above,:; good illustrations of ships are already found
on seals belonging to the close of the Early Minoan Age. They now
become still more frequent and the recurrence of the 'ship' sign in the

Fig, 215. Various Forms of Hieroglyphic Signs: a, Saffron ; b, Bee; c, Olive

Spray ; d, Ship.

hieroglyphic series (Fig. 215, d) 4 is a speaking commentary on the maritime

enterprise of Minoan Crete in the flourishing days of the Middle Minoan Age.

The ships show a high stern, and the prow terminates either in a barbed Ship
. . . Sign;

point or a kind of open beak. The number of oars given on the intaglios

varies from five to fifteen,5 but steering oars may be included. On the seals

1 Scripta Minoa, p. 161, P. 63 a. the more primitive hieroglyphic class (A).

2 lb., p. 170, P. 100 d. 5 On an early lentoid of black steatite in my

3 See pp. 118, 120, 121. Collection.

203, No. 57- Types a a a belong to