Page 259 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Greek Islands

Must See
Museum Highlights Bull’s Head

Rhyton
▶ This vessel, made in
the 16th-century
BC, was used for
the pouring of
ritual wines.
Found at Knosos,
it is carved from
steatite, a black
stone, with inset
The spectacular display of frescoes rock crystal eyes and
collected from around Crete a mother-of-pearl snout.
The Hall of
GALLERY GUIDE Frescoes
The exhibits, arranged chronologically, The famous Minoan frescoes and other fantastic
showcase the history of the Cretan examples of Minoan art can be found in this room.
civilization from the prehistoric era to The display includes the elaborately frescoed Agía
Roman times, with a focus on religious Triáda sarcophagus, dating from around 1400 BC,
and ceremonial practices, mortuary giving insight into Minoan funerary rites, as well
habits, bureaucratic administration and as frescoes found at the Palace of Knosos (p260),
daily life. The ground floor chronicles with pieces like the “Lily Prince” displayed.
the seafaring dominance of the Minoans
across the Aegean; the second floor Gold Bee Pendant
focuses on the emergence of Minoan Found in the Chrysólakkos cemetery at Mália
city-states. Labels are in Greek and (p287), this exquisite gold pendant shows two
English, and there are multimedia connected bees storing honey. The pendant dates
displays throughout. There are also from the Bronze Age, around the
thematic displays: the first floor is home 17th century BC, and is one of
to famous frescoes from Knosos. the best examples of
Minoan jewellery here.
Snake
Goddesses
▶ This female holds
a snake in either
hand, and is the
smaller of two
faïence figurines
thought to represent the
snake goddess or a priestess
performing religious rituals. Both
date from around 1600 BC, and were
found at Knosos.
The Minoan Double Axe
◀ The Minoan double axe was both a tool
used by carpenters, masons and ship-
builders, and a sacred symbol. The
famous Labyrinth at Knosos
(p260), home of the Minotaur,
is believed to have been the
“dwelling place of the
double axe”; the word
labrys being the ancient
Greek name for double axe.
The ceremonial axe is often
depicted between sacred
horns or with a priest.
259

258-259_EW_Greek_Islands.indd 259 28/11/2018 09:56