DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.1159#0144
EXPLORATIONS IN MOCHLOS 111
about on various parts of the slope, which makes it probable that
they came from the broken jars of that date which have been already
mentioned.
The silver cylinder of Figure 36, No. I, n, is probably of Babylonian
origin. It was found in Tomb I, associated with E. M. II objects,
and must, therefore, belong to one of the burials of that period. The
metal is badly corroded and, although traces of engraving can be
made out, not enough remains to allow one to assign it to any fixed
period.1 This cylinder is one of the few objects of possibly foreign
origin which occurred in the Mochlos cemetery. How it reached
Crete is not easy to say, but no doubt through the hands of native
traders. If we accept the theory that the Minoans of this period
had already established intercourse with Egypt, it is probable that
this cylinder arrived in Crete through Egyptian channels. It is
also possible that it came by way of Cyprus, though there is no evi-
dence of communication between the two islands at so early a date.
The presence of one such seal cannot be used to prove any direct
intercourse with Babylonia and the East. If such intercourse had
existed, Babylonian art must have exercised some influence on the
development of Early Minoan culture; as a matter of fact such
influence is notably absent, and all signs point not to the East but
rather to Egypt as the power with which the Minoans first came in
contact.2
11 am told that the large opening is a good indication of its early date.
« It has been suggested to me that this cylinder may be of Cretan manufacture, although this
does not seem likely. Cylinder seals were made in Crete in the Middle Minoan age, but so
far as we know they did not appear as early as the E. M. II period, to which this example
apparently belongs. The faint traces of figures which can be seen on the cylinder look more
Asiatic than Minoan.
about on various parts of the slope, which makes it probable that
they came from the broken jars of that date which have been already
mentioned.
The silver cylinder of Figure 36, No. I, n, is probably of Babylonian
origin. It was found in Tomb I, associated with E. M. II objects,
and must, therefore, belong to one of the burials of that period. The
metal is badly corroded and, although traces of engraving can be
made out, not enough remains to allow one to assign it to any fixed
period.1 This cylinder is one of the few objects of possibly foreign
origin which occurred in the Mochlos cemetery. How it reached
Crete is not easy to say, but no doubt through the hands of native
traders. If we accept the theory that the Minoans of this period
had already established intercourse with Egypt, it is probable that
this cylinder arrived in Crete through Egyptian channels. It is
also possible that it came by way of Cyprus, though there is no evi-
dence of communication between the two islands at so early a date.
The presence of one such seal cannot be used to prove any direct
intercourse with Babylonia and the East. If such intercourse had
existed, Babylonian art must have exercised some influence on the
development of Early Minoan culture; as a matter of fact such
influence is notably absent, and all signs point not to the East but
rather to Egypt as the power with which the Minoans first came in
contact.2
11 am told that the large opening is a good indication of its early date.
« It has been suggested to me that this cylinder may be of Cretan manufacture, although this
does not seem likely. Cylinder seals were made in Crete in the Middle Minoan age, but so
far as we know they did not appear as early as the E. M. II period, to which this example
apparently belongs. The faint traces of figures which can be seen on the cylinder look more
Asiatic than Minoan.