Heraklion Archaeological Museum - CollectiveAccess System : Clay objects : Model of a rectangular building/portico with offerings being made to seated figures [Π15074]

Vaulted Tombs of Mesara ➔ Model of a rectangular building/portico with offerings being made to seated figures

Π15074

Clay

Incomplete, restored.

Height: 10 cm. Width: 10.5 cm. Length: 16 cm.

Kamilari

Tholos tomb at "Gligori Korfi"

Late Bronze Age. Neopalatial period, Late Minoan ΙI period.:

1500-1450 BC:

Gallery:

Case:

Exhibition thematic unit:

Late Bronze Age - Final Palatial period (1450-1300 BC). The Knossos monopalatial system

Cemeteries

Description

The tholos tomb near the village of Kamilari in the Mesara was used for many successive burials from the Protopalatial period (1800 BC) to the beginning of the Postpalatial period (1300 BC). Many broken and partial clay models, perhaps used in rituals, were found in a room next to the entrance of the tomb. The largest of these is an architectural model representing a two-columned stoa and a wall with three windows. Four figures are seated on low seats, receiving offerings on incurved altars (or offering tables) from two smaller standing figures, one of whom is holding an open vessel. These figurines are in the established style of the bird-faced figurines offered as votives at peak sanctuaries. The most likely interpretation is that this is a scene of ancestor worship in honour of those inhumed in the tomb.

Bibliography:

Levi, D. “La tomba a tholos di Kamilari presso a Fest?s.” Annuario della Scuola Archeologica Italiana di Atene 39-40 (1961-1962): 7-148. Novaro, D. 1999. “I modellini fittili dalla tomba di Kamilari: il problema cronologico.” In V. La Rosa, D. Palermo, and L. Vagnetti (eds), ?πί πόντον πλαζόμενοι. Simposio italiano di studi egei, dedicato a Luigi Bernab? Brea e Giovanni Pugliese Carratelli: Roma, 18-20 febbraio 1998, Roma, 151–160. Mandalaki, S. "Η αναζήτηση του υπερβατικού." In S. Mandalaki and G. Rethemiotakis (eds), Μινωικός κόσμος. Ταξίδι στις απαρχές της Ευρώπης, Heraklion, 2015, 95-135 (124). Kladou, Μ. "Πήλινο ομοίωμα." In A. Karetsou, M. Andreadaki-Vlazaki and N. Papadakis (eds), Κρήτη-Αίγυπτος. Πολιτισμικοί δεσμοί τριών χιλιετιών, Αρχαιολογικό Μουσείο Ηρακλείου, 21 Νοεμβρίου 1999-21 Σεπτεμβρίου 2000, Heraklion, 2000, 65.

Author:

G. F.

Photographs' metadata