Some of the most conclusive evidence of how the Minoans fell comes from these tombs. The pottery and clay burial sarcophogi appear very similar to those found on the mainland in the Mycenean civilization. From these findings, it is believed the Myceneans invaded Crete in the 15th century BC, ending the formal reign of the empire while leaving the native people behind.
The Minoan tombs were called chamber tombs, and we'll see why that is shortly. Before the burial chamber is a narrow hallway with steps leading down to the door and chamber, called a dromos.
Each chamber contained the remains of one family in the Minoan civilization, with the entrances of the chambers looking a little like this. Notice the removable stone near the doorway, as the families needed to be able to move the stone out of the way to move the next deceased family member in.
This is one largest chamber tombs on site (likely to most wealthy families in the town), is carved out of the soft sandstone bedrock. The little shelves near the floor contain the pieces of pottery on the sign in the front and any possessions the deceased had. After some time, the bones of long dead family members would be moved to the corners of the tomb, making room for the new arrivals.
Here we all are, on our way into the tomb. Seems fitting since Minoan men often didn't live past 30 and women rarely reached 25 due to complications during childbirth.
...
The Minoans built dozens of towns ans palaces throughout the island, including Phaistos in the southern half. In many ways, this palace has the features of the other Minoan palaces, though there are other structural features that differentiate it from the others.
Here is a look at the theater on the west side of the palace square. From here, palace residents could watch performances on occasion, religious activities, etc. When there were more people wishing to view the ceremony that the seats would allow, people could sit on the Grand Staircase just out of frame to the right.
The Minoans were not only known for making massive stone and clay pithos (these are clay), but also where they stored them. As you can see, these pieces were stored beneath the palace floor and could only be accessed from a hallway about 10 meters away. Archeologists believe religious food and drink were stored here, since they were so close to the theater.
Here is your pier and door construction to the west of the central court.
This is called the Pillar Crypt, the shrine where the palace residents could worship around the two square pillars which likely contained libation fountains, or ceremonial gifts to the gods.
This slit in the rock is the remains of a drainage system leading from the north end of the palace, through the central court, and down to the south. There are several of these throughout the site and would have been placed below the level of the floor for obvious reasons.
Here are the remains of the Queen's Megaron, complete with pier and door comstruction for ventilation and light intake. Her husband's megaron is directly next door just off frame to the right, something we have not seen in any other the palaces thus far.
Here is a panorama of the central court, surrounding ruins, and of course the gorgeous mountains behind to the south. The Libyan Sea is directly over those mountains (don't worry, we are still very far from the African coast).
This was an interesting find for sure. The fenced in ruins are the remnants of a potter's woodburning kiln (you can see the shelf where the pots would have stood). The walls behind it are the foundations of workshops and storerooms, likely for the potter(s) making a living here making the pots for the palace.
Seems like a pretty large living space huh? This would have been occupied by the king and queen's son (the prince who would eventually take the throne) and his wife once he was of age. This was located just south of the potter's area within the palace walls, with this view of the Cretan countryside (this plain is some of the most fertile soil on the whole island).
...
This small Minoan villa is located a few thousand meters down the hill from the Phaistos palace. There is evidence that this small town was an economic hub, which makes sense for its location near the central palace.
Here are two photos of the Agora of the villa, the main hub of the economic powerhouse. The second photo is what the small shops or workshops likely would have looked like some 3000 years ago, with about a dozen of these lines up on both sides of the central market.
The name of this villa is Agia Triada, referring to the holy Christian trinity, the father, son, and holy spirit. This is symbolized inside a small but beautiful church located on the site, with frescoes painted inside depicting the work of Christ and this crucifixtion.
This megaron has a different function than those of the other palaces. This building has three distinct rooms: an antiroom before the main room, followed by a room to the right side of the main room.
And now for the HIGHLIGHTS!
Woman from last night's hotel: Where are you all from?
Fatima: First floor! (Without any time wasted)
We all had a good laugh at that one!
ECGT signing off!
No comments:
Post a Comment