A significant archaeological discovery was made during this summer’s excavations at the Minoan palace of Archanes in Crete, the Ministry of Culture announced on Wednesday.
A rare gate sanctuary was unearthed, marking the first time such a find has been uncovered at a Minoan palace site. The excavation, led by archaeologist Efi Sapouna-Sakellaraki, revealed this unique structure outside the palace’s main gate, further enhancing the site’s historical and religious significance.
The gate sanctuary features four altars and two stone buttresses, indicating that the area served a religious purpose. Alongside these, archaeologists discovered a pyramid-shaped base, likely used for religious rituals, similar to a double axe base found in earlier excavations. A potential third base has yet to be ruled out, adding to the speculation about the sanctuary’s function in Minoan religious practices.
The discovery is part of ongoing efforts to complete the excavation of the three-story palace, which played a key role in Minoan civilisation alongside the famous palace complex at Knossos. The current work continues the excavation that began in the 1960s, initiated by Sapouna-Sakellaraki’s late husband, renowned archaeologist Yiannis Sakellarakis.
Excavation of a 96-square-metre section of the palace’s courtyard, located south of the entrance with the four altars, also revealed traces of a Mycenaean layer, pointing to the palace’s later use during the Mycenaean period. This layer contained evidence of a destructive fire and fragments of Mycenaean kylixes, indicating significant damage to the site at that time.
One notable find hinting at the sacred nature of the area was a stone base that had fallen from an upper floor, along with remains of burnt wood and four bronze hook-like objects that may have supported a wooden statue of a deity.
Additionally, the excavation uncovered part of a luxurious wing of the palace, connected through corridors and featuring remnants of wall paintings with preserved blue and red pigments.
This season’s work was carried out under the auspices of the Athens Archaeological Society, with Sapouna-Sakellaraki working alongside archaeologists Polina Sapouna-Ellis, Dimitris Kokkinakos, and Persefoni Xylouri. The discoveries at Archanes continue to shed light on the Minoan civilisation and its evolution through time.
(Source: Amna)
