When were the ruins at Knossos discovered?
The ruins at Knossos were discovered in either 1877 or 1878 by Minos Kalokairinos, a Cretan merchant and antiquarian. There are basically two accounts of the tale, one deriving from a letter written by Heinrich Schliemann in 1889, to the effect that in 1877 the "Spanish Consul," Minos K., excavated "in five places.".
What is the legend of Knossos?
The main legend here is the Minotaur story wherein Athens was subject to Knossos and paying tribute. The legend concerns a creature living in a labyrinth who was half-man and half-bull. Bulls are frequently featured on pottery and frescoes found at Knossos, where the intricate layout of the palace might suggest a labyrinth.
What is the exact location of Knossos?
For the modern history of Knossos, see Knossos (modern history). / 35.29806°N 25.16306°E / 35.29806; 25.16306 / 35.29806°N 25.16306°E / 35.29806; 25.16306
What happened to Knossos in World War 2?
Ignored in World War I, Knossos was at the center of Mediterranean operations in World War II. Now that the excavation was finally over, Evans was concerned with organizing and dating material that had been placed in the Stratigraphical Museum, which he had kept from the beginning.
What is the story behind Knossos?
What happened to Knossos?
How did Knossos prosper?
When was Knossos abandoned?
When did the Minoans leave the island?
Who killed the Minotaur?
Who was the architect of Minos' palace?
See more
About this website
How did Arthur Evans find Knossos?
Evans was drawn to the island of Crete initially because of his interest in ancient coins and seal stones. He began his excavations at Knossos in 1899 when he took over the site which was previously being excavated by Minos Kalikairinos.
Who first discovered Knossos?
Minos KalokairinosThe site of Knossos was discovered in 1878 by Minos Kalokairinos. The excavations in Knossos began in 1900 by the English archaeologist Sir Arthur Evans (1851–1941) and his team, and continued for 35 years.
Where was Knossos discovered?
Knossos is the site of the most important and better known palace of Minoan civilisation. It is located in a prominent position on Kefala Hill, 6 km. southeast of Herakleion, surrounded by olive groves, vineyards and cypress trees.
What was discovered at Knossos?
One of the finest artefacts found was a remarkable Minoan rhyton (drinking cup) in the shape of a bull's head. Uncovered in the Little Palace of Knossos in 1905, the original rhyton is made of serpentine, mother of pearl, rock crystal and jasper, with horns of gilded wood.
Why is Knossos important in history?
The Palace of Knossos was the most important of the palaces on Crete, and the seat of the first king among equals of the island, Minos, whose name has been given to the whole of the 3rd and 2nd c. BC Minoan civilization. The Palace, like the others in Crete, was built soon after 2000 BC and destroyed in about 1700 BC.
What archaeologist discovered the Crete civilization?
Sir Arthur John EvansSir Arthur Evans, in full Sir Arthur John Evans, (born July 8, 1851, Nash Mills, Hertfordshire, England—died July 11, 1941, Youlbury, near Oxford, Oxfordshire), British archaeologist who excavated the ruins of the ancient city of Knossos in Crete and uncovered evidence of a sophisticated Bronze Age civilization, which ...
When was Knossos founded?
The first palace at Knossos was built at the beginning of the Middle Minoan period (2000–1580 bc). It consisted of isolated structures built around a rectangular court.
What did archaeologists discover about the Minoan civilization at Knossos?
The excavated Neolithic levels at Knossos are still among the deepest in Europe. Archaeological survey of the upper strata of the Neolithic site revealed artifacts such as gold jewelry, glazed pottery, and bronze.
Was Knossos in Atlantis?
Knossos has been identified with Plato's mythical Atlantis from his dialogues of the Timaeus and Critias and is also known in myth most famously through the story of Theseus and the Minotaur.
How do you pronounce Knossos in Greek?
0:050:59How To Say Knossos - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipNo se es.MoreNo se es.
Why was the Palace of Knossos built?
Historical Background. Knossos Palace was the ceremonial and political center of the Minoan Civilization during the Bronze Age. Considered as Europe's oldest city, Knossos was once the city-state of Crete, with the town surrounding the hill the palace is on.
When was Knossos founded?
about 7000 BCKnossos (modern history)HistoryFoundedThe first settlement dates to about 7000 BC. The first palace dates to 1900 BC.AbandonedAt some time in Late Minoan IIIC, 1380–1100 BCPeriodsNeolithic to Late Bronze Age. The first palace was built in the Middle Minoan IA period.CulturesMinoan, Mycenaean23 more rows
Who built Knossos Crete?
The Palace of Knossos is located just south of modern-day Heraklion near the north coast of Crete. Built by a civilization that we call the Minoans, it covers about 150,000 square feet (14,000 square meters), the size of more than two football fields, and was surrounded by a town in antiquity.
Who was Michael Ventris and what did he decipher?
—died Sept. 6, 1956, near Hatfield, Hertfordshire), English architect and cryptographer who in 1952 deciphered the Minoan Linear B script and showed it to be Greek in its oldest known form, dating from about 1400 to 1200 bc, roughly the period of the events narrated in the Homeric epics.
Who was the first king of Crete?
King MinosAccording to this view, the first King Minos was the son of Zeus and Europa and brother of Rhadamanthys and Sarpedon.
The Palace at Knossos: The Archaeological Discovery of Minoan ...
The Palace at Knossos: The Archaeological Discovery of Minoan CivilizationOverviewKnossos (also spelled Cnossus) is located 3.1 miles (5 km) inland from the northern coast of Crete near the present-day town center of Heraklion (Iraklion). Source for information on The Palace at Knossos: The Archaeological Discovery of Minoan Civilization: Science and Its Times: Understanding the Social ...
Knossos, Crete Map & Directions - MapQuest
Get directions, maps, and traffic for Knossos, Crete. Check flight prices and hotel availability for your visit.
What is the ancient city of Knossos?
Greek myth and epic poetry attested to the existence of an ancient city called Knossos on Crete. Later inhabitants of the region often found artifacts of previous civilizations when they tilled their fields. Originally attracted by the discovery of stones bearing an unknown script, British linguist and archaeologist Sir Arthur Evans (1851-1941) first visited Crete in 1894 hoping to decipher the script and link the Cretan tablets with similar artifacts of the recently discovered Mycenaean civilization in Greece.
Who named the palace Knossos?
In 1900 Evans began a systematic excavation of the site. After expanding upon Kalokairinos's initial dig, Evans discovered a complex network of corridors and rooms that reminded him of the legendary labyrinth of King Minos. Evans accordingly named the palace, Knossos, after that of Minos.
How did Evans develop the Minoan civilization?
Evans developed a chronology for the site using a complex pottery sequence, which he established by associating types of pot shards, or small fragments of pottery, with Egyptian or Mycenaean trade goods and other artifacts that had been more concretely dated. Through this work, Evans realized that the Minoan civilization had existed within the chronological context of the larger Aegean civilization. He continued to dig below the first palace structure in the hope of finding some proof of earlier inhabitation on the site.
Why did Evans dig below the first palace structure?
He continued to dig below the first palace structure in the hope of finding some proof of earlier inhabitation on the site.
What did Evans discover?
Evans accordingly named the palace, Knossos, after that of Minos. As the ongoing excavations yielded evidence of distinct pottery, artwork, and architecture, Evans realized that he had indeed discovered a civilization distinct from that of the recently discovered Mycenae. This Cretan civilization became known as the Minoan.
How big was the Minoan palace?
The intricate, multistoried palace he unearthed spanned an area of 22,000 square miles (56,980 sq km). Each section had a specific use.
What is the Neolithic strata at Knossos?
Archaeological survey of the upper strata of the Neolithic site revealed arti facts such as gold jewelry, glazed pottery, and bronze. A prepalace structure from 3000 b.c. was also identified, thus making the Early Minoan Period contemporary with the emergence of the Early Bronze Age in the Aegean.
Where did Knossos come from?
The coins came from the Roman settlement of Colonia Julia Nobilis Cnossus, a Roman colony placed just to the north of, and politically including, Kephala. The Romans believed they were the first to colonize Knossos.
When was Knossos a village?
Bowl with fork handles, pottery. Knossos, Early Neolithic, 6500–5800 BC. Also a ladle, and a three-legged vessel from later periods. In the Early Neolithic (6000–5000 BCE), a village of 200–600 persons occupied most of the area of the palace and the slopes to the north and west.
What is the goddess image in Knossos?
Goddess image found at Knossos (note the tufts on the tails) Among the items found in Knossos is a Minoan depiction of a goddess flanked by two lionesses that shows a goddess who appears in many other images.
What were the main resources of Knossos?
The prosperity of Knossos was primarily based upon the development of native Cretan resources such as oil, wine, and wool. Another factor was the expansion of trade. Herodotus wrote that Minos, the legendary king of Knossos, established a thalassocracy (sea empire). Thucydides accepted the tradition and added that Minos cleared the sea of pirates, increased the flow of trade and colonised many Aegean islands. Archaeological evidence supports the tradition because Minoan pottery is widespread, having been found in Egypt, Syria, Anatolia, Rhodes, the Cyclades, Sicily, and mainland Greece. There seem to have been strong Minoan connections with Rhodes, Miletus, and Samos. Cretan influence may be seen in the earliest scripts found in Cyprus. The main market for Cretan wares was the Cyclades where there was a demand for pottery, especially the stone vases. It is not known whether the islands were subject to Crete or just trading partners, but there certainly was strong Cretan influence.
What is Knossos pottery?
Pottery at Knossos is prolific, heavily-decorated and uniquely-styled by period. It is used as a layer diagnostic. Comparing it to similar pottery elsewhere in the eastern Mediterranean, Evans established a wider chronology, which, on that account, is difficult to question successfully. On the negative side, careful records of the locations of some objects were not always kept, due to the very size of the project and the difficulties under which the archaeologists and workmen had to labor.
What is the name of the creature that lived in a labyrinth?
This also applies to the mainland, because both tradition and archaeology indicate strong links between Crete and Athens. The main legend here is the Minotaur story wherein Athens was subject to Knossos and paying tribute. The legend concerns a creature living in a labyrinth who was half-man and half-bull. Bulls are frequently featured on pottery and frescoes found at Knossos, where the intricate layout of the palace might suggest a labyrinth. One of the most common cult-symbols, often seen on palace walls, is the double-headed axe called the labrys, which is a Carian word for that type of tool or weapon.
Where were the first Cretan palaces built?
It is believed that the first Cretan palaces were built soon after c. 2000 BC, in the early part of the Middle Minoan period, at Knossos and other sites including Mallia, Phaestos and Zakro. These palaces, which were to set the pattern of organisation in Crete and Greece through the second millennium, were a sharp break from the Neolithic village system that had prevailed thus far. The building of the palaces implies greater wealth and a concentration of authority, both political and religious. It is suggested that they followed eastern models such as those at Ugarit on the Syrian coast and Mari on the upper Euphrates.
Who discovered Knossos?
The ruins at Knossos were discovered in either 1877 or 1878 by Minos Kalokairinos , a Cretan merchant and antiquarian. There are basically two accounts of the tale, one deriving from a letter written by Heinrich Schliemann in 1889, to the effect that in 1877 the "Spanish Consul," Minos K., excavated "in five places." Schliemann's observations were made in 1886, when he visited the site with the intent of purchasing it for further excavation. At that time, several years after the event, Minos related to him what he could remember of the excavations. This is the version adopted by Ventris and Chadwick for Documents in Mycenaean Greek. By "Spanish Consul" Heinrich must have meant a position similar to that held by Minos' brother, Lysimachos, who was the "English Consul." Neither was a consul in today's sense. Lysimachos was the Ottoman dragoman appointed by the pasha to facilitate affairs conducted by the English in Crete.
What happened to Knossos's excavations?
Some severe difficulties appeared in the second season, forcing a decision that split archaeological practice, but as far as Knossos was concerned, Evans and his team had no choice. The severe winter rains had destroyed much of the exposed site through dissolving the mud-brick structures, attacking the alabaster, which was easily dissolved, and washing away many of the features. If the archaeologists did not act to protect the dig, it would melt away even as they excavated. Elsewhere on Crete Hogarth had already encountered the vanishing excavation, washed away by flooding. The team decided to restore, a practice opposed by some archaeologists; that is, as they excavated, they would intervene in the structures to preserve them in situ. Evans noted that nothing out of character with the findings must be introduced. Reconstructed features must be based on other evidence discovered at the site. But of course, the reconstruction was not the original.
How did Evans solve the funds obstacle?
He would excavate, but he had not a moment to lose. He solved the funds obstacle by creating The Cretan Exploration Fund in imitation of the Palestine Exploration Fund, removing the funding from any particular individual, at least in theory initially . The only contributors at first were the Evans'. He secured the services of the local Ottoman administration in purchasing 1/4 of the hill with the first option of buying the whole hill later. They would accept a down payment of £235. Then he went home to wind up his affairs at Youlbury and the Ashmolean. When he returned in 1895 he brought in David George Hogarth, director of the British School at Athens. The two pressed successfully for the purchase of the entire hill and valley adjoining it, obtaining more money through contributions. The owners would accept future payments on the installment plan. Evans selected the site for his future quarters in 1896. They still could not obtain the firman. There was nothing to do but wait for history, which by then was looming on the horizon. After an exploration of Lasithi, or eastern Crete (coincidentally the Muslim half), with John Myres in 1895, the two returned to London in 1896 to write about the Bronze Age forts they had discovered there, under the very shadow of looming civil war.
What is the largest Bronze Age archaeological site in Crete?
The palace complex is the largest Bronze Age archaeological site on Crete. It was undoubtedly the ceremonial and political centre of the Minoan civilization and culture. Quite apart from its value as the center of the ancient Minoan civilization, Knossos has a place in modern history as well.
Where is Knossos located?
Knossos ( Greek: Κνωσός, Knōsós, [knoˈsos] ), also romanized Cnossus, Gnossus, and Knossus, is the main Bronze Age archaeological site at Heraklion, a modern port city on the north central coast of Crete.
What did Arthur decide to do with Knossos?
Moreover, the archaeological evidence indicated that multiple stories had existed at Knossos. Arthur determined on a bold new plan: he would "reconstitute" as much of the palace as was justified by the evidence. Reinforced concrete – concrete poured around steel strengthening members – had been used satisfactorily for the Villa Ariadne. Now Arthur would provide features he was certain had existed but were not attested by any surviving structures: ceilings, upper floors, roofs, stairways. He wished as much as possible to create a facsimile of the palace as it actually had been, as far as he could discern from the evidence. This decision was perhaps the most heavily criticised in later times. The critics assert that he created a modernist building according to the standards of the day, not according to ancient concepts. The truth of the criticism cannot be ascertained, as the ancient standards did not survive, except the ones used by Evans.
Who was the curator of Knossos?
In 1945, Hutchinson resumed the curatorship of Knossos, but only for a relatively short period. Piet de Jong became Curator, 1947-1952. The property was transferred to the Greek Archaeological Service in 1951, again for primarily financial and caretaker reasons. By now Heraklion was visible in the countryside. Large numbers of visitors were touring Knossos. In 1966 Sinclair Hood built a new Stratigraphical Museum.
Who discovered Knossos?
The majority of the people believe that Knossos was discovered by Sir Arthur Evans in 1900. In fact, the first excavation took place in 1878, by the Cretan merchant and antiquarian Minos Kalokairinos, but his contribution has been largely overshadowed by that of Evans.
Who wanted to make Knossos known?
Kalokairinos, who wanted to make Knossos broadly known, escorted archeologists, diplomats, newspaper correspondents and other VIPs at the site and showed them his private collection.
What did Kalokairinos do?
Kalokairinos later went into soap manufacturing, winning awards at world exhibitions. Unfortunately, however, his business enterprises were not destined to be successful to the end; in 1895, he was forced to declare bankruptcy and was thus deprived of the right to engage in commerce. In 1903 he decided to resume his legal studies at the university, and was later awarded a degree. In 1878 his passion for archaeology and classical studies led him to attempt the first systematic excavations at Knossos. He bought the site where he wanted to conduct excavations from Zekiris Bey, Ibrahim Efentakis and according to Turkish archaeological law he would be entitled to 1/3 of the findings. The main excavation lasted three weeks and covered different parts of the Royal Palace complex, focusing on its west and south wings.
Why did the Christian General Commander of Crete stop the excavations?
With the agreement of the city's scholars, he decided to stop the excavations in order to protect the findings, because he was afraid that they would be transferred to Istanbul, as Crete was still under Turkish occupation.
What was Minos Kalokairinos's collection of objects?
Minos Kalokairinos had found a large collection of objects during his excavations. The findings that survived after the violent events of August 25, 1898, mostly amphorae found in the western wing of the palace, were donated to museums of Greece, Paris and London in order to promote public interest in Knossos.
What is Kalokairinos's strong disposition towards ancient Greek literature?
Kalokairinos had a strong disposition towards ancient Greek literature, especially Homer, Plato, Strabo, Pausanias and their accounts of Cretan antiquity. As he confesses in his book Prolegomena 1893, his strong desire to draw upon these works in order to elucidate the ancient history of Crete, led him to the undertaking of the excavations.
Where is Knossos located?
It is located in a prominent position on Kefala Hill, 6 km. southeast of Herakleion, surrounded by olive groves, vineyards and cypress trees.
What were the storage jars in Knossos?
The ground-floor and basement storerooms were notable for their numerous stone boxes and ceramic storage-jars (pithoi), containers for the produce needed to support a court and royal administration which may, judging by the evidence of Linear B inscribed tablets found at Knossos, have numbered more than 4,000 people.
How many girls and boys did Athens send to Crete?
Second, at the heart of the fable is the requirement that Athens send seven boys and seven girls to Crete every nine years to be eaten by the Minotaur. This may represent a former tributary relationship between Athens and Knossos. What is certain is that the archaeology of Knossos strongly implies a tributary economy based on maritime power.
When was Knossos discovered?
The site was discovered in 1878 by Minos Kalokairinos. The excavations in Knossos began in 1900 A.D. by the English archaeologist Sir Arthur Evans (1851- 1941) and his team, and they continued for 35 years.
Who was the king of Knossos?
Ιn Greek mythology, the Palace of Knossos was the residence of the mythical King Minos, the son of Zeus and Europa. King Minos had the legendary artificer Daedalus construct a labyrinth in which to keep his son, the Minotaur, a mythical creature who was half bull and half man.
What is the Palace of Knossos?
The Palace of Knossos was undoubtedly the ceremonial and political center of the Minoan civilization and culture. It appears as a maze of workrooms, living spaces, and storerooms close to a central square.
What is the significance of the Palace of Knossos?
The Palace of Knossos is the monumental symbol of Minoan civilization, due to its construction, use of luxury materials, architectural plan, advanced building techniques and impressive size.
What is the largest Bronze Age site in Crete?
Knossos is the largest Bronze Age archaeological site on Crete, but sections of it were built during different historic periods such as the Neolithic and the Classical period.
Where is the famous palace of Knossos?
The Famous Palace of Knossos and its History. Knossos, the famous Minoan Palace lies five kilometers southeast of Heraklion, in the valley of the river Kairatos , in Crete. Ιn Greek mythology, the Palace of Knossos was the residence of the mythical King Minos, the son of Zeus and Europa.
Was the Palace of Knossos destroyed?
The palace of Knossos was destroyed, but the Minoan civilization was rebuilt almost immediately on top of the ruins of the past, and indeed the culture reached its pinnacle only after the devastation. The Palace of Knossos was undoubtedly the ceremonial and political center of the Minoan civilization and culture.
When was Knossos first excavated?
The 1st Excavation at Knossos by Minos Summer. The first major excavation was carried out in 1878 by the wealthy art lover from Heraklion Minos Kalokairinos, while Crete was still under Turkish occupation. Minos Kalokairinos excavated part of the western warehouses and brought to light many large 'pithos'.
Where are Knossos' artifacts?
9. Knossos’ artifacts at the Archaeological Museum of Heraklion
How to get to Knossos from Heraklion?
It is very easy to get to Knossos from Heraklion. It’s a 15-minute car drive, or you can take a bus from the main bus station at the Heraklion port. Simply take bus number 2 and stay on it until it reaches its final stop: Knossos.
What is the Palace of Knossos famous for?
Apart from its construction and architecture, the Palace of Knossos is most famous for its connection to Greek mythology. Namely, the tale of the Labyrinth and the Minotaur and the one of Daedalus and Icarus. We’ll unfold these mythological tales that relate to Knossos later on.
What to do in Knossos?
Furthermore, you’ll hear about untold stories of ancient Crete and you will marvel at the exhibits of the Archaeological Museum of Heraklion. Opt for From Heraklion: Knossos Palace and Archaeological Museum Tour Including Transportation for a comprehensive Knossos experience. Alternatively, you can combine Crete’s history and gastronomy with Knossos Delights: Knossos Palace & Heraklion Food Tour with transportation. No matter which one you choose to go for, you won’t be disappointed!
How many rooms are there in Knossos Palace?
The archaeological site of Knossos Palace comprises about 20,000 square meters and over 1,500 rooms, as well as old village ruins in the surrounding hillsides of the palace complex. Be prepared to walk a lot! The most important part of the site is the Great Palace.
Where is the King's chamber in Knossos Palace?
The King's chamber at Knossos Palace - credits: Shutterstock.com. The throne room of Knossos was located on the north side of the sacred apartments. The entrance to it was from the main courtyard with a quadruple multi-door and four steps. On one far side of this room stood a stone throne, built to mimic wood.
What happened to Knossos?
The city of Knossos, and almost every other community centre on Crete, was destroyed by a combination of earthquake and the invading Mycenaeans c. 1450 BCE with only the palace spared. The eruption of the volcano on the nearby island of Thera (Santorini) in c.
Who named the palace Knossos?
In 1900 Evans began a systematic excavation of the site. After expanding upon Kalokairinos's initial dig, Evans discovered a complex network of corridors and rooms that reminded him of the legendary labyrinth of King Minos. Evans accordingly named the palace, Knossos, after that of Minos.
Where is the Minoan Palace located?
Knossos, the famous Minoan Palace lies five kilometers southeast of Heraklion, in the valley of the river Kairatos, in Crete. Ιn Greek mythology, the Palace of Knossos was the residence of the mythical King Minos, the son of Zeus and Europa.
What is the story behind Knossos?
The possibility that there existed a Minotaur became more acceptable once it was understood that, in the Minoan sport of bull-jumping, the male athlete became one with the bull as he vaulted over the bull's horns. This sport, then, it is now supposed, gave rise in ancient consciousness to the 'myth' of the Minotaur through the impression that these athletes were half men and half bulls. The story of the labyrinth also was given more credence once the intricate interior of the palace was uncovered. It was Evans who first called the ancient inhabitants of Crete 'Minoan' after King Minos of Knossos, and his efforts in excavation and re-construction, however controversial, paved the way for all future work in both physical and cultural anthropology concerning the Minoan civilization.
What happened to Knossos?
The city of Knossos, and almost every other community centre on Crete, was destroyed by a combination of earthquake and the invading Mycenaeans c. 1450 BCE with only the palace spared. The eruption of the volcano on the nearby island of Thera (Santorini) in c.1600 or 1500 BCE has long been held a major factor in the destruction ...
How did Knossos prosper?
Under Minos' rule, Knossos flourished through maritime trade as well as overland commerce with the other great cities of Crete, Kato Sakro (Phaestos) and Mallia. Knossos was destroyed and re-built at least twice. The first palace identified in modern times was built c. 1900 BCE on the ruins of a much older settlement. Based upon excavations done at the site, the first palace seems to have been massive in size with very thick walls. Ancient pottery found throughout Crete, at various sites, indicate that the island was not unified under a central culture at this time and so the walls of the palace were most likely constructed to their size and thickness for defensive purposes. As the writing of this period, so-called `Cretan Hieroglyphs', has not been deciphered, nothing is known about this time save what can be discerned through archaeological evidence.
When was Knossos abandoned?
In fact, it appears that Knossos became an important base of operations and capital of the Mycenaeans until it was destroyed by fire and finally abandoned c. 1375 BCE. The date which traditionally marks the final end of the Minoan civilization is 1200 BCE after which there is no evidence for the culture.
When did the Minoans leave the island?
Some scholars cite the final date as 1450 BCE with the Mycenaean invasion and others claim c.1375 or c.1300 BCE on account of the fire which destroyed both palace and city. However long the Minoans may have continued on the island, following the fire the ruins of the great metropolis were abandoned and left to decay.
Who killed the Minotaur?
Theseus of Athens , with the help of Minos' daughter Ariadne, killed the Minotaur, freed the young people, and returned triumphant to his home city. Both stories cast King Minos in a very unflattering light while emphasing Athenian heroes which is unsurprising as they are considered Athenian in origin. Remove Ads.
Who was the architect of Minos' palace?
According to the myths surrounding the early city, King Minos hired the Athenian architect, mathematician, and inventor Daedelus to design his palace and so cleverly was it constructed that no one who entered could find their way back out without a guide.
Overview
Discovery and modern history of the antiquities
- The first person to excavate in the area was an Iraklionian merchant and amateur archaeologist, Minos Kalokairinos. He had already uncovered two storerooms by 1878, when the site's landowners forced him to stop his investigation of the ruins. In 1900 Evans began a systematic excavation of the site. After expanding upon Kalokairinos's initial dig, E...
Spelling
Neolithic period
Minoan period
Legends
The site of Knossos was discovered in 1878 by Minos Kalokairinos. The excavations in Knossos began in 1900 by the English archaeologist Sir Arthur Evans (1851–1941) and his team, and continued for 35 years. Its size far exceeded his original expectations, as did the discovery of two ancient scripts, which he termed Linear A and Linear B, to distinguish their writing from the pictographs also present. From the layering of the palace Evans developed an archaeological co…
Laws and Government
The name Knossos was formerly Latinized as Cnossus or Cnossos and occasionally Knossus, Gnossus, or Gnossos but is now almost always written Knossos.
Hellenistic and Roman period
The site of Knossos has had a very long history of human habitation beginning with the founding of the first Neolithic settlement (c. 7000 BCE). Neolithic remains are prolific in Crete. They are found in caves, rock shelters, houses, and settlements. Knossos has a thick Neolithic layer indicating the site was a sequence of settlements before the Palace Period. The earliest was placed on …
Overview
It is believed that the first Cretan palaces were built soon after c. 2000 BC, in the early part of the Middle Minoan period, at Knossos and other sites including Mallia, Phaestos and Zakro. These palaces, which were to set the pattern of organisation in Crete and Greece through the second millennium, were a sharp break from the Neolithic village system that had prevailed thus far. The building of the palaces implies greater wealth and a concentration of authority, both political an…
Excavation by Minos Kalokairinos
In Greek mythology, King Minos dwelt in a palace at Knossos. He had Daedalus construct a labyrinth, a very large maze (by some connected with the double-bladed axe, or labrys) in which to retain his son, the Minotaur. Daedalus also built a dancing floor for Queen Ariadne. The name "Knossos" was subsequently adopted by Arthur Evans.
Waiting for the march of history
Rhadamanthus was the mythological lawgiver of Crete. Cleinias of Crete attributes to him the tradition of Cretan gymnasia and common meals in Book I of Plato's Laws, and describes the logic of the custom as enabling a constant state of war readiness.
Crete changes hands
Fieldwork in 2015 revealed that during the early Iron Age, Knossos was rich in imports and was nearly three times larger than indicated by earlier excavations. Whilst archaeologists had previously believed that the city had declined in the wake of a socio-political collapse around 1,200 BC, the work found instead, that the city had prospered, with its final abandonment coming later.
Excavation, 1900–1905
Knossos , also romanized Cnossus, Gnossus, and Knossus, is the main Bronze Age archaeological site at Heraklion, a modern port city on the north central coast of Crete. The site was excavated and the palace complex found there partially restored under the direction of Arthur Evans in the earliest years of the 20th century. The palace complex is the largest Bronze Age archaeological sit…
The grand debut, 1906–1908
The ruins at Knossos were discovered in either 1877 or 1878 by Minos Kalokairinos, a Cretan merchant and antiquarian. There are basically two accounts of the tale, one deriving from a letter written by Heinrich Schliemann in 1889, to the effect that in 1877 the "Spanish Consul," Minos K., excavated "in five places." Schliemann's observations were made in 1886, when he visited the site with the intent of purchasing it for further excavation. At that time, several years after the event, …
Knossos in the First World War
After Kalokairinos, several noted archaeologists attempted to preempt the site by applying for a firman, but none was granted by the then precarious Ottoman administration in Crete. Arthur Evans, Keeper of the Ashmolean Museum, noted antiquarian and scion of the wealthy Evans family, arrived in Herakleion for the first time in February 1894, mending from his grief at the death of his beloved …
Reconstitution of the palace, 1922–1930
Crete had never belonged to independent Greece, a cause of insurrection and continual conflict between Muslim (previously converted Greek, Turkish and Arab) and Christian (primarily Greek) populations. Of a population of about 270,000, 70,000 were Muslim. In 1897 the conflict in the chronic civil war reached a new crisis. Macedonian Christians, preparing their own insurrection, began sending arms surreptitiously to Crete. The Great Powers were for a blockade, but Britain v…