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Unexplored Mansion, Knossos: Note I*

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  27 September 2013

Abstract

This note is the first in an occasional series to add and expand the Unexplored Mansion report (the Other Finds section): the first part records the identification of pieces of emeryore(s) of a heavier calibre than previously recognized (LM II predominately); whilst the second draws together items of stone and clay pulled out from the Post-Minoan levels – personal ornament, vases, a ‘ritual’ hammer, a mould, and a ‘firestand’.

Type
Articles
Copyright
Copyright © The Council, British School at Athens 1988

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References

1 Who kindly invited me to publish them, and supplied details of date and provenance.

2 The ‘vagueness’ in the comparison is introduced by the fact that C2 is handmade, whilst the other UM pieces of similar length are cut down from kylix stems.

3 Georgiou, H. S., Keos VI: Ayia Irini, Specialized Domestic and Industrial Pottery (Mainz, 1986) 23 ffGoogle Scholar, catalogue numbers 91–117, plate 5 for line drawings and plate 17 for photographic illustration. The Cretan and Cycladic parallels can be pursued via her lists on page 24.

4 Three basic principles are involved in her categorization: their physical proportions; the presence (or not) and type of handles; and the existence of a central spine. Another system that she refers to divides off the single pieces from the linked-pair/trough.

5 Both in size and weight (here 41/2–9 gms).

6 Xanthoudides, S. A., The Vaulted Tombs of the Mesara: an account of some early cemeteries of southern Crete (Liverpool, 1924) pl. xxvi. 810 and 809Google Scholar, amongst other bead types.

7 Bronze: palaikastro – Popham, M.R. et alii, Excavations at Palaikastro VI BSA 60 (1965) 303. 16, fig. 18 and pl. 79cGoogle Scholar; Gold: Triadha, AghiaParibeni, R., Rierche nel Sepolcreto di Haghia Triada presso Phaestos MA 14 (1904) 731/2, fig. 27Google Scholar; Stone: Kamilari, Levi, D., La Tomba a tholos di Kamilari presso a Festòs, ASAtene 3940 (19611962) 101, fig. 146, pl. ivGoogle Scholar; Knossos, Evans, A.J., The Prehistoric Tombs of Knossos Archaeologia 59.2 (1905) 475 Tomb 97, fig. 96Google Scholar.

8 Gold: Phaistos, Savignoni, L., Scavi e Scoperte nella necropolis di Phaestos MA 14 (1904) 595/6, fig. 60Google Scholar: and of course the large number in Mycenaean contexts; Knossos, Evans, , Archaeologia 59.2 (1905) 466 Tomb 75, fig. 85 and 119–75a.Google Scholar

9 Forsdyke, E.J., The Mavro Spelio Cemetery at Knossos BSA 28 (19261927) 255.IV.8, pl. 18.15, fig. 40.Google Scholar

10 These may be chased through the literature by starting from Popham, et al, BSA 60 (1965) 303.17, fig. 18.17, and pl. 79c.Google Scholar The one of haematite is closest, in that it lacks the central ridge.

11 P.M. Warren, Minoan Stone Vessels 21 ff for Type 8, 78 ff for Type 32.

12 Shaw, J.W., Minoan Architecture: materials and techniques ASAtene 49 (1971) 54 and 229 (Appendix F)Google Scholar: whence they can be traced. The two quoted here are both portrayed on 54, fig. 42.

13 It is unlikely that the drilling was an attempt at honey-combing out the interior of a stone vase: the holes are too far apart to have been effective.

14 Commonest by far are the talc-related minerals (hydrous magnesium silicate) as, for example, the large number from MMI-II Mallia bear witness: Chapouthier, F. & Demargne, P., Exploration du Palais III: bordures orientale et septentrionale (1927–1932) EC 6 (Paris, 1942) 63 ff, fig. 40, pls. xvi, lii, liii.Google ScholarChlorite (hydrous silicate of magnesium, aluminium and iron) looks to appear in a pair of jewellery moulds (for finger rings) on display in Heraklion Museum.