DOI Seite / Zitierlink:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.1117#0218
LATER COMPOSITE BOW AT KNOSSOS
173
can hardly be gainsaid.1 This influence extends to the form of primitive
idols—one from the site of Knossos itself—and a stone libation table of typical
pre-dynastic shape has now been brought to light in its 'Temple-Tomb'.'2
^
jrx,
/
Fig. 135. Cretan, Proto-Nilotic, and Libyan Bows and Arrows, a, />, Pre-
ynastic Egyptian; c, Chisel-edged Egyptian Arrow-head, secured by Bitumen;
, Flint Arrow-head, Sahara; e, Cretan Archer (M.M. la);/, Neith Symbol: Bows
'<! Sheath ; g, h, The Same Symbol as Libyan Tattoo-mark.
Later Composite Form of Cretan Bow.
It is clear, however, that the immediate source of the special kind Later
. . horn
or bow that concerns our present subject is the composite variety, bow.
That this form of bow had itself come into general use in Crete by the
Late Minoan Age is evident from the structure of bows seen in certain
scenes on signets ;J as well as from the tablets relating to the horns used
in its composition found in the 'Magazine of the Arsenal' at Knossos."1
The horned bow, indeed, appears as a pictographic sign on the Phaestos
Disk (inset),5 showing that it was in vogue in a region at least intimately
related with Crete by the close of M. M. III. Although in general outline
it is often impossible to distinguish representations of this from the more
1 See especially my remarks, P. of M.,\s as to any inner indebtedness on the part of
the Minoan Goddess. But there was a real
ethnic intrusion from the Libyan side.
2 See below, § 116.
pp. 509, 510, and ii, Pt. I, p. 50 seqq. Among
points of comparison I have called attention
to the analogy presented by the snake's head
rising above the tiara of the faience figure of
the Minoan Goddess with the uraeus in
similar positions on the head of Hathor,
emphasizing the fact that Wazet the Delta
Goddess was in some respect her double.
Apart from any deeper indebtedness, the
reaction of such a formal detail is natural
enough. Professor Nilsson (op. a'/., p. 279,
note 1), though admitting the possibility of
formal influences (which indeed in the case of
the Waz are proven to the hilt), is sceptical
a As for example on bead-seals depicting
the Goddess hunting a stag {Ring of A'es.'or,
cVi"., p. 23, Fig. 24, and cf. Fig. 25 : Cor-
nelian lentoid from Crete). The warrior, too,
on the seal [op. ci/., Fig. 33) draws a bow
of the same composite construction.
1 See § 114, and A'/iossos, Report^ 1904
[B. S. /i, x), p. 58, Fig. 2r, /;, c.
■■ Reproduced from P. of M., i, p. 652,
No. 11.
173
can hardly be gainsaid.1 This influence extends to the form of primitive
idols—one from the site of Knossos itself—and a stone libation table of typical
pre-dynastic shape has now been brought to light in its 'Temple-Tomb'.'2
^
jrx,
/
Fig. 135. Cretan, Proto-Nilotic, and Libyan Bows and Arrows, a, />, Pre-
ynastic Egyptian; c, Chisel-edged Egyptian Arrow-head, secured by Bitumen;
, Flint Arrow-head, Sahara; e, Cretan Archer (M.M. la);/, Neith Symbol: Bows
'<! Sheath ; g, h, The Same Symbol as Libyan Tattoo-mark.
Later Composite Form of Cretan Bow.
It is clear, however, that the immediate source of the special kind Later
. . horn
or bow that concerns our present subject is the composite variety, bow.
That this form of bow had itself come into general use in Crete by the
Late Minoan Age is evident from the structure of bows seen in certain
scenes on signets ;J as well as from the tablets relating to the horns used
in its composition found in the 'Magazine of the Arsenal' at Knossos."1
The horned bow, indeed, appears as a pictographic sign on the Phaestos
Disk (inset),5 showing that it was in vogue in a region at least intimately
related with Crete by the close of M. M. III. Although in general outline
it is often impossible to distinguish representations of this from the more
1 See especially my remarks, P. of M.,\s as to any inner indebtedness on the part of
the Minoan Goddess. But there was a real
ethnic intrusion from the Libyan side.
2 See below, § 116.
pp. 509, 510, and ii, Pt. I, p. 50 seqq. Among
points of comparison I have called attention
to the analogy presented by the snake's head
rising above the tiara of the faience figure of
the Minoan Goddess with the uraeus in
similar positions on the head of Hathor,
emphasizing the fact that Wazet the Delta
Goddess was in some respect her double.
Apart from any deeper indebtedness, the
reaction of such a formal detail is natural
enough. Professor Nilsson (op. a'/., p. 279,
note 1), though admitting the possibility of
formal influences (which indeed in the case of
the Waz are proven to the hilt), is sceptical
a As for example on bead-seals depicting
the Goddess hunting a stag {Ring of A'es.'or,
cVi"., p. 23, Fig. 24, and cf. Fig. 25 : Cor-
nelian lentoid from Crete). The warrior, too,
on the seal [op. ci/., Fig. 33) draws a bow
of the same composite construction.
1 See § 114, and A'/iossos, Report^ 1904
[B. S. /i, x), p. 58, Fig. 2r, /;, c.
■■ Reproduced from P. of M., i, p. 652,
No. 11.