Hawes, Charles H.; Hawes, Harriet B.: Crete, the forerunner of Greece (London, 1909)

INTRODUCTION

the latter from classical times. It was a small
fortress, not more than one-third the size of the
Acropolis at Athens, but well built with stout
walls of stone surmounted by brick. At this level
was unearthed an extraordinary mass of treasure,
including silver jars, gold daggers, and diadems of
pure gold, one of which was woven of more than
sixteen thousand rings and leaves—a Crown jewel,
indeed. For many years there lurked a suspicion
that the famous Treasure of Hissarlik might have
fallen through, in the early days of excavation,
from the sixth to the second level, since it seemed
far too splendid for the older epoch. But in 1908
Mr. Seager, while excavating at Mokhlos, off the
north shore of Crete, discovered similar gold orna-
ments among objects which were undoubtedly of
the same period as the Burnt City, thereby con-
firming the accuracy of Dr. Schliemann's original
record. The Burnt City had a chequered career,
for during an existence of about five hundred
years, 2500-2000 B.C., it was attacked and de-
stroyed three times. Its predecessor was an un-
important primitive settlement, with walls of
small quarry stones and clay, built upon the virgin
rock.

If we are to understand the mental atmosphere
in which Dr. Schliemann worked, we must re-
member that he was a free-lance, alien to the
world of scholars, and eyed askance by them.
But nothing could daunt the idealist. From Troy
he followed Agamemnon to Mycenae, on the main-
land of Greece.

There he disclosed within the walls of the citadel
deep shaft-graves, wherein lay skeletons of men