Tuesday 10 February 2015

Μυκηναϊκή Κρήτη


Την Τετάρτη 18 Φεβρουαρίου στις 7.00 μ.μ. η Ελληνική Αρχαιολογική Επιτροπή Μεγ. Βρετανίας οργανώνει στο Ελληνικό Κέντρο (16-18 Paddington Street, London, W1U 5AS) τη χειμερινή της διάλεξη, με θέμα: “Mycenaean Crete: Religion, State Authority and Royal Symbolism. New Evidence from Crete”.

Ομιλήτρια θα είναι η Δρ Αθανασία Καντά.


Dr Kanta, after studying history and archaeology at the University of Athens, undertook postgraduate studies at the Institute of Archaeology, University of London, where she was awarded her doctoral degree. Her illustrious career included positions as a lecturer at the University of Wellington, Assistant Professor at the University of Crete, Director of the Archaeological Institute of Cretological Studies, Director of the Museum of Heraklion and Director of the 23rd Ephorate of Prehistoric and Classical Antiquities of Heraklion, Crete, and since her retirement, Honorary Ephor. She is a Fellow of the Archaeological Society at Athens, Honorary Professor of Adelphi University of New York and of the IUSOB, Naples.

Dr Kanta has published a number of monographs and over 90 articles on Greek Prehistory. Her most recent books include: the Sacred Cave of Eileithyia in Tsoutsouro (co-authored with K. Davaras, 2010), Athanasia: the Earthly, the Celestial and the Underworld from the Late Bronze Age and the Early Iron Age, (co-authored with N. Stampolidis and A. Giannikouri, 2012) and  Minoan Crete and the origins of Ancient Greek Theatre (2013).

The speaker has led and participated in more than 100 excavations in Crete, including the excavations of the palatial complex at Monastiraki of Amari, the Anetaki plot at Knossos, the Mycenaean Acropolis at Kastrokephala and at the archaeological sites of Tylissos and Amnisos. In Cyprus she excavated the site at Pyla Kokkinokremo, in collaboration with Professor Vasos Karagiorgis, which resulted in a recent publication.

The destruction of the last palace of Knossos has long been the subject of scholarly controversy. The destruction date ranges from 1380 to 1200 BC according to the preference of individual scholars. After this momentous event, the Mycenaeans became a major force in the SE Mediterranean. A new find at Knossos may shed light to religious and state matters affecting it at this period.

During the excavation of a private plot at Knossos, a 2nd century AD temple of Artemis and Zeus came to light. The location of the plot is significant. It is adjacent to the so-called sanctuary of Glaukos, on the Knossos hill, to the west of the contemporary entrance of the Palace and to the south of the Little Palace. Below this temple there are levels of several periods. Strong evidence of ritual activity in all levels characterise the site. The total depth of the fill, belonging to the various periods at the site, is 8.50 metres. Above the bedrock there is an impressive Minoan Neopalatial building with substantial walls and evidence of ritual activity.

Above this building an in situ “fetish shrine” came to light, its walls partly extending over the Neopalatial building. The inauguration deposit of a sword, vases left in situ on its floor and LMIIIB pottery in the fill above its floor, confirm the dates of its construction, use and abandonment.

The shrine, which is the subject of this evening’s lecture, may have been abandoned but was not forgotten by subsequent generations.

This promises to be a fascinating illustrated presentation by an eminent archaeologist.Bottom of Form

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