DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.12762#0158
INTERPRETATIVE
131
represented in the Mesara tombs. Yet a doubt always remains as to the direction cycladic
of the influence, whether to or from Crete. influences
Another indication of Cycladic influence may be seen in the spiral motif, The Spiral
which most archaeologists believe to have been developed in the north, and
to have travelled first to the Cyclades, then to Crete, and finally to have reached
Egypt in the beginning of the twelfth dynasty.1
We find the spiral motif in common use on the seals found in the Mesara
tombs, and we see it employed on the small stone vase from Tholos B at Platanos
(1904 a, Plate XI), and finally appearing as an element of the painted decoration
of the clay vases of E.M. III.2
Clearer proof of intercourse with the Cyclades is afforded by the discovery Cycladic
of figurines of the type known as Cycladic in the Mesara tombs and in other Figurines
Early Minoan strata. Some of these, those for instance of Parian marble,
must have been imported ; others we may if we please presume to be faithful
Cretan copies. This Cycladic type differs greatly from the genuine Cretan
form of figure as we know it from examples from Koumasa, Platanos, and
Hagia Triada.3
The strongest proof of intercourse with the Cyclades is, however, given by Obsidian
the wide distribution of Melian obsidian in Crete. Everywhere, in every Minoan
stratum, especially in Early and Middle Minoan strata, an abundance of obsidian
is found.
It has been mentioned that stone palettes are found in the Cyclades as Palettes
well as in Crete. But in both cases the direct origin of these is probably
Egyptian.
B. Influence from Asia Minor. influence
.... FROM ASIA
Evidence of influence from Asia Minor is still more rare, and it may be minor
doubted if it was ever direct.
The cylindrical type of seal no doubt had a Babylonian origin, for it was
in use in the earliest times among the Sumerians, the pre-semitic inhabitants
of Babylonia, but its journey to Crete was by way of Egypt.4
Still, the later Babylonian cylinder seal of haematite found in Tholos B Cylindrical Seals
at Platanos (p. 116) came to Crete straight from Babylonia, as did the other
Babylonian seals of the same material in the Candia Museum.
Also the fantastic semi-human forms on Minoan seals, prototypes of the Monstrous Forms
Minotaur, and the two-headed composite animals, all suggest, as Sir Arthur
Evans points out,5 the monstrous creations belonging to the legends of
Gilgamesh and Ea-Bani. Sir Arthur also sees Asianic connection in the names
1 Evans, Scripta Minoa, pp. 127, 136 ; Palace, 2 E. Hall, Early Painted Pottery from Gournia,
p. 114. loc. cit., pp. 200, 201.
Tsountas and Manatt, op. cit., p. 260, figs. 133, 3 Evans, Palace, p. 115.
134. 4 Furtwiingler, Die Aniiken Gemmen, II, s 1 f.;
Meyer, op. cit., s. 783, § 512 a. Ill, s. 1 and 27.
5 Evans, Palace, p. 69.
131
represented in the Mesara tombs. Yet a doubt always remains as to the direction cycladic
of the influence, whether to or from Crete. influences
Another indication of Cycladic influence may be seen in the spiral motif, The Spiral
which most archaeologists believe to have been developed in the north, and
to have travelled first to the Cyclades, then to Crete, and finally to have reached
Egypt in the beginning of the twelfth dynasty.1
We find the spiral motif in common use on the seals found in the Mesara
tombs, and we see it employed on the small stone vase from Tholos B at Platanos
(1904 a, Plate XI), and finally appearing as an element of the painted decoration
of the clay vases of E.M. III.2
Clearer proof of intercourse with the Cyclades is afforded by the discovery Cycladic
of figurines of the type known as Cycladic in the Mesara tombs and in other Figurines
Early Minoan strata. Some of these, those for instance of Parian marble,
must have been imported ; others we may if we please presume to be faithful
Cretan copies. This Cycladic type differs greatly from the genuine Cretan
form of figure as we know it from examples from Koumasa, Platanos, and
Hagia Triada.3
The strongest proof of intercourse with the Cyclades is, however, given by Obsidian
the wide distribution of Melian obsidian in Crete. Everywhere, in every Minoan
stratum, especially in Early and Middle Minoan strata, an abundance of obsidian
is found.
It has been mentioned that stone palettes are found in the Cyclades as Palettes
well as in Crete. But in both cases the direct origin of these is probably
Egyptian.
B. Influence from Asia Minor. influence
.... FROM ASIA
Evidence of influence from Asia Minor is still more rare, and it may be minor
doubted if it was ever direct.
The cylindrical type of seal no doubt had a Babylonian origin, for it was
in use in the earliest times among the Sumerians, the pre-semitic inhabitants
of Babylonia, but its journey to Crete was by way of Egypt.4
Still, the later Babylonian cylinder seal of haematite found in Tholos B Cylindrical Seals
at Platanos (p. 116) came to Crete straight from Babylonia, as did the other
Babylonian seals of the same material in the Candia Museum.
Also the fantastic semi-human forms on Minoan seals, prototypes of the Monstrous Forms
Minotaur, and the two-headed composite animals, all suggest, as Sir Arthur
Evans points out,5 the monstrous creations belonging to the legends of
Gilgamesh and Ea-Bani. Sir Arthur also sees Asianic connection in the names
1 Evans, Scripta Minoa, pp. 127, 136 ; Palace, 2 E. Hall, Early Painted Pottery from Gournia,
p. 114. loc. cit., pp. 200, 201.
Tsountas and Manatt, op. cit., p. 260, figs. 133, 3 Evans, Palace, p. 115.
134. 4 Furtwiingler, Die Aniiken Gemmen, II, s 1 f.;
Meyer, op. cit., s. 783, § 512 a. Ill, s. 1 and 27.
5 Evans, Palace, p. 69.