Λάρνακες υστερομινωικοϋ νεκροταφείου Αρμένων Ρεθύμνης
Part of : Αρχαιολογικά ανάλεκτα εξ Αθηνών ; Vol.IV, No.2, 1971, pages 216-222
Issue:
Pages:
216-222
Parallel Title:
Cemetery at Armenoi Rethymni
Section Title:
Αρχαιολογικά χρονικά
Author:
Abstract:
The excavation of the section of the LM III A/B cemetery near the village of Armenoi Rethymni was especially important as much for the architecture of the tombs as for the movable finds. The architecture differs from the usual type of simple chamber tomb. The majority of these tombs have a dromos with steps, and two have monumental equipment, that is a very long dromos with steps, a large quadrangular chamber, and an interior formation, one with a low wall and central pillar, the other with a low wall and a Minoan column in relief on the partition wall. The movable finds ( larnakes, pots (figs. 1-3), seals, jewels ) are, as the result of study, very clearly of the last phases of Minoan archaeology. The larnakes, which probably come from this same workshop, show a series of representations which recall religious ceremonies or show by the presence of religious symbols ( sacred horns and double axes ) the close relation existing among the different Minoan religious manifestations. The larnax of Tomb 11 shows a scene, religious perhaps, of a hunt (fig. 4). This is apparent from the double axe which one of the hunters carries and from the presence of peacocks.The larnakes of the Tombs 24 ( N° 1 ) ( f i g. 5 ) and 10 ( N° 2 ) ( f i g. 6 )are polychrome ( on the whitish background the subjects have been rendered in blue, red and black). They have six feet instead of four and the representations on the long sides have been divided into two panels each. Both consist of work of the same craftsman, whom we can name the « artist of deer ». The scenes consist in a part of a narrative having a connection with a ceremonial festival in a grove evidently sacred. This becomes clear from the sacred symbols which have an important place in the portrayal. Moreover, the remaining larnakes have a strong religious character (fig. 7 ). In larnax N° 1 of Tomb 10 (fig. 8 ) there is a procession of bulls and in that of Tomb 24 ( N° 2 ) ( f i g. 9 ) the Minoan goddess is represented with raised arms and on a bell - shaped base.The chronology of the larnakes is that of Late Minoan III A and Early LM III B. The two polychrome examples at least are also earlier. The continuation of the excavation as regards the cemetery as well as the housing will aid in a better understanding of this new Late Minoan III centre and of the localization of the workshop of these larnakes, an especially important consideration in these specific researches.
Subject:
Subject (LC):
Keywords:
Κρήτη, νεκροταφεία
Notes:
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