The Palace of Minos
A Comparative Account of the Successive Stages of the Early Cretan Civilization as Illustrated by the Discoveries at Knossos

Published 1921–35, this highly illustrated multi-volume excavation report documents the discovery of Minoan civilisation on Crete.

Arthur Evans (Author)

9781108061032, Cambridge University Press

Paperback / softback, published 29 August 2013

504 pages, 339 b/w illus. 5 colour illus. 5 maps
29.7 x 21 x 2.6 cm, 1.19 kg

Inspired by Schliemann's discoveries at Mycenae and Troy, Sir Arthur John Evans (1851–1941), keeper of Oxford's Ashmolean Museum from 1884 to 1908, trustee of the British Museum and fellow of the Royal Society, used his inherited wealth to purchase land in Crete at Knossos. From 1900 he commenced excavations there in co-operation with the British School at Athens. Work continued for eight full seasons, uncovering a Bronze Age palace and bringing to light further architectural and artefactual remains of Minoan civilisation, including numerous texts in Linear A and Linear B. Evans' speculative reconstruction of the site in reinforced concrete remains controversial, and some of his interpretations are disputed, but his pioneering work is painstakingly detailed in this highly illustrated multi-volume work, published between 1921 and 1935, with an index volume appearing in 1936. Part 2 of Volume 2 first appeared in 1928.

50. 'House of the Chancel Screen' and 'Royal Villa'
51. The 'North-East House' and the import of its contents
52. The 'House of the Frescoes'
53. Influence of natural and other designs of M.M. III wall-paintings on late Minoan ceramic decoration
54. 'The Little Palace' and its pillar cult
55. Extension of the town of Knossos
56. The 'Broad Knossos' of Homeric tradition
57. State approach to palace from north and west
58. North-west corner entrance to palace, and sanctuary hall
59. The west court: its causeways and altars
60. Palatial bronze hoard from north-west treasure house and contemporary deposits from private houses
61. West porch and entrance system, earlier and later
62. The 'South Propylaeum', earlier and later , and 'cup-bearer fresco'
63. The procession fresco, with comparative materials
64. Ceremonial south-north corridor, I
65. Ceremonial south-north corridor, II
66. Double façade of palace on central court
67. Lion's head 'rhytons' of Minoan rhea.

Subject Areas: Archaeology by period / region [HDD]