DOI Seite / Zitierlink:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.809#0006
VI
THE PALACE OF MINOS, ETC.
hitherto unrecognized entrance to the North-West, the proofs were afforded
of the former existence of portals adorned with sculptured bands resembling
those of the • Treasury of Atreus' at Mycenae.
Of even greater human interest than this once stately Portico is the
extensive building brought to light on the opposite slope, overlooking this
approach. It is impossible to describe it otherwise than as a ' Caravanserai'
or Rest-House for travellers. It revealed, indeed, varied arrangements for
their convenience, including elaborate bathing accommodation, a spring-
chamber—later a scene of cult—and an elegant little refectory, adorned with
an appetizing frieze of partridges.
The Southern route served in later days as an avenue of intercourse
with dynastic Egypt, in connexion with which many new data are supplied
by the present Volume. A deposit of imported Minoan polychrome pottery
at Harageh in the Fayum—more closely dated than any similar discovery of
the kind—will be seen to stand in a near stylistic and chronological relation
to a splendid hoard of M. M. II vases now brought to light near the South -
East Palace Angle. The evolution of a whole series of Minoan libation vases
from an Egyptian ostrich-egg type is also of peculiar significance, as well as the
formation of a decorative style that can only be called ' Egypto-Minoan'.
This style contains a very early Cretan element—here for the first time
clearly defined—and will be seen to have a special bearing on the history ot
many later types, including the Mycenae jewels.
There can be no doubt that, to the last, these Egyptian influences
remained preponderant at Knossos, but from the very beginning of the Age
of Palaces—as is shown by many evidences here collected—direct relations,
such as had not hitherto existed, were opened out with the Easternmost
Mediterranean shores, and certain characteristic Minoan objects, such as the
' rhytons' in the form of bulls, ultimately go back, as is here shown, to remote
Sumerian prototypes. In the opening out of these Oriental connexions, as
well as for intercourse with the East Cretan havens, the Harbour Town of
Knossos—some account of which is here given—played an important part,
and relics derived from its lapidaries' and artisans' quarters show that here,
too, was an important artistic centre. The port of Niru Khani, a little
farther East again, illustrates the manufacture, apparently for propaganda
purposes overseas, of such ritual objects as tripod altars and huge Double Axes
THE PALACE OF MINOS, ETC.
hitherto unrecognized entrance to the North-West, the proofs were afforded
of the former existence of portals adorned with sculptured bands resembling
those of the • Treasury of Atreus' at Mycenae.
Of even greater human interest than this once stately Portico is the
extensive building brought to light on the opposite slope, overlooking this
approach. It is impossible to describe it otherwise than as a ' Caravanserai'
or Rest-House for travellers. It revealed, indeed, varied arrangements for
their convenience, including elaborate bathing accommodation, a spring-
chamber—later a scene of cult—and an elegant little refectory, adorned with
an appetizing frieze of partridges.
The Southern route served in later days as an avenue of intercourse
with dynastic Egypt, in connexion with which many new data are supplied
by the present Volume. A deposit of imported Minoan polychrome pottery
at Harageh in the Fayum—more closely dated than any similar discovery of
the kind—will be seen to stand in a near stylistic and chronological relation
to a splendid hoard of M. M. II vases now brought to light near the South -
East Palace Angle. The evolution of a whole series of Minoan libation vases
from an Egyptian ostrich-egg type is also of peculiar significance, as well as the
formation of a decorative style that can only be called ' Egypto-Minoan'.
This style contains a very early Cretan element—here for the first time
clearly defined—and will be seen to have a special bearing on the history ot
many later types, including the Mycenae jewels.
There can be no doubt that, to the last, these Egyptian influences
remained preponderant at Knossos, but from the very beginning of the Age
of Palaces—as is shown by many evidences here collected—direct relations,
such as had not hitherto existed, were opened out with the Easternmost
Mediterranean shores, and certain characteristic Minoan objects, such as the
' rhytons' in the form of bulls, ultimately go back, as is here shown, to remote
Sumerian prototypes. In the opening out of these Oriental connexions, as
well as for intercourse with the East Cretan havens, the Harbour Town of
Knossos—some account of which is here given—played an important part,
and relics derived from its lapidaries' and artisans' quarters show that here,
too, was an important artistic centre. The port of Niru Khani, a little
farther East again, illustrates the manufacture, apparently for propaganda
purposes overseas, of such ritual objects as tripod altars and huge Double Axes