Heraklion: MRA-GRC-Her003
Type Sample Item
Sample ID
- MRA-GRC-Her003
Sample Material Type
- Mural painting
Sample Sub-type
- fragment
Geographic Location
- Country
- Greece
- Place
- Heraklion
Site/monument
- Greece (GRC)
Heraklion
Knossos
Historical note about the site/monument
- Located on the island of Crete, Knossos served as chief administrative center of the ancient Minoan culture that reached its apogee between 1600 and 1400 BCE. Starting in the Middle Minoan period (2000-1580 BCE) the rulers at Knossos began constructing palaces. The earliest of these palaces took the form of separate structures arranged around a central quadrilateral courtyard. After a severe earthquake destroyed the palace of Knossos in 1720 BCE, a new palace was built. This second palace had multiple staircases linking its buildings, as well as a colonnade. It was plugged into an elaborate infrastructure that incorporated subterranean storehouses, sophisticated plumbing, and communication to other settlements with paved roads. Notable as well is the high degree of perfection achieved by Minoan fresco artists during this period, which can be seen in the graceful forms of dolphins, athletes, and dancers surviving on the palace walls. Other Minoan sites at Knossos include the House of the Frescoes, the Temple Tomb, the Royal Villa, and the Little Palace. Modern excavations of Knossos were first undertaken by Arthur Evans in the early 20th century, although the degree of imagination he employed during his restorations has often been criticized.
Further reading:
Hood, S. (2005). Dating the Knossos frescoes. British School at Athens Studies, 13, 45-81.
Cameron, M. A. S. (1976). A general study of Minoan frescoes with particular reference to unpublished wall painting from Knossos (Doctoral dissertation, Newcastle University).