DOI Seite / Zitierlink:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.12762#0150
PLATANOS
128
The idea of the talismanic virtue of the ox-head sprang from Egypt, where the
they are very common from the predynastic period onwards.1 The type passed cemetery
to Crete and had a long life right through the Minoan age, and then was handed FIGURINES>ETC-
on through the Greek classical epoch. Even to-day effigies of the heads of
oxen endowed with magic virtues are to be found hung on fruit trees in Malta,
Sicily, and Algiers.1
(8) Bird-head Amulet.
1146 (Plate XV). From Tholos B. This is an amulet cut out of a Amulet with Two
small slab of ivory, with the two upper corners carved each into a bird's head Bird-Heads
back to back.
The form and shape on a miniature scale are those of some of the palettes
of the Egyptian prehistoric tombs which Sir Flinders Petrie has called ' magic
slates.' 2
I found a similar small amulet in the tholos of Marathokephalon.3
(9) Leg Amulets.
1143, 1144 (Plate LVIII). From Tholos B. Two steatite amulets in the Leg Amulets
shape of human legs. The type was discussed above (p. 31).
(10) Various Amulets. (Plate LVIII.)
A good many more ivory amulets were found, e.g. :—
1140. An oblong slab pierced near one edge.
232, 233. Two large amulets cut out of a hollow piece of tusk in the form
of the human trunk.
1031, 1141, 1142, 1032. These are three cylinders and one three-sided
pyramid of ivory, obviously intended for seals but unfinished, with the designs
uncut.
I think it probable that these were worn as amulets, and with them many
of the seals with designs. Similar pieces of ivory cut into seal form but without
designs were found in the other Mesara tholoi.
F. Pommels. pommels
224, 225, 226 (Plate LVIII). From Tholos A. Three dagger pommels
of ivory, all with the two holes, the large hole for the tang of the handle, and
the transverse rivet-hole right through.
224 is mushroom shaped, flat below and rounded on top ; diameter -05 m.
The diameter of the other two is only -035 m. 226 is spherical.
1 Petrie, Prehistoric Egypt, p. 11; Diospolis 103 D, 103 H.
Parva, p. 26. 3 'Ap\. AeAt., to/a. 4, 7rapapTij/io, o-tA. 22, tin,
2 Petrie, Prehistoric Egypt, p. 38, Plate XLIV, 8 cUu>.
128
The idea of the talismanic virtue of the ox-head sprang from Egypt, where the
they are very common from the predynastic period onwards.1 The type passed cemetery
to Crete and had a long life right through the Minoan age, and then was handed FIGURINES>ETC-
on through the Greek classical epoch. Even to-day effigies of the heads of
oxen endowed with magic virtues are to be found hung on fruit trees in Malta,
Sicily, and Algiers.1
(8) Bird-head Amulet.
1146 (Plate XV). From Tholos B. This is an amulet cut out of a Amulet with Two
small slab of ivory, with the two upper corners carved each into a bird's head Bird-Heads
back to back.
The form and shape on a miniature scale are those of some of the palettes
of the Egyptian prehistoric tombs which Sir Flinders Petrie has called ' magic
slates.' 2
I found a similar small amulet in the tholos of Marathokephalon.3
(9) Leg Amulets.
1143, 1144 (Plate LVIII). From Tholos B. Two steatite amulets in the Leg Amulets
shape of human legs. The type was discussed above (p. 31).
(10) Various Amulets. (Plate LVIII.)
A good many more ivory amulets were found, e.g. :—
1140. An oblong slab pierced near one edge.
232, 233. Two large amulets cut out of a hollow piece of tusk in the form
of the human trunk.
1031, 1141, 1142, 1032. These are three cylinders and one three-sided
pyramid of ivory, obviously intended for seals but unfinished, with the designs
uncut.
I think it probable that these were worn as amulets, and with them many
of the seals with designs. Similar pieces of ivory cut into seal form but without
designs were found in the other Mesara tholoi.
F. Pommels. pommels
224, 225, 226 (Plate LVIII). From Tholos A. Three dagger pommels
of ivory, all with the two holes, the large hole for the tang of the handle, and
the transverse rivet-hole right through.
224 is mushroom shaped, flat below and rounded on top ; diameter -05 m.
The diameter of the other two is only -035 m. 226 is spherical.
1 Petrie, Prehistoric Egypt, p. 11; Diospolis 103 D, 103 H.
Parva, p. 26. 3 'Ap\. AeAt., to/a. 4, 7rapapTij/io, o-tA. 22, tin,
2 Petrie, Prehistoric Egypt, p. 38, Plate XLIV, 8 cUu>.