Heraklion Archaeological Museum - CollectiveAccess System : Clay objects : Wine press model [Π16779]

Vaulted Tombs of Mesara ➔ Wine press model

Π16779

Clay

Mended and restored on the base and spout.

Height: 5.2 cm. Diameter: 14 cm. Length of spout: 5 cm.

Apesokari

Tholos Tomb Β

Middle Bronze Age. Protopalatial period, Middle Minoan Ι - ΙI period.:

2000 - 1700 BC:

Gallery:

Case:

Exhibition thematic unit:

Middle Bronze Age - Late Prepalatial-Protopalatial period (2200-1700 BC). From small communities to towns

Cemeteries

Description

Clay model of a wine press, copying the shape of the utensils found in various Minoan settlements such as Vathypetro, Malia, Palaikastro and Zakros. In those cases, the cylindrical basin with the large spout at the bottom was usually accompanied by a second vessel to catch the liquid pouring from the spout. The wine press was used to tread the grapes in the wine-making process, but it could also be used to separate olive oil. Wine presses were probably used for both activities, as wine and olive oil are produced at different times of year. Four small wine press models were found in Tholos Tomb B of Apesokari in the Mesara, while another similar model was found in the neighbouring Tomb A. The deposition of model wine presses in tombs of the Mesara may have been associated with the social identity of the deceased or the more general role played by wine in funerary rites.

Bibliography:

Davaras, Κ. "Αρχαιότητες και Μνημεία Κρήτης. Ανασκαφαί." Αρχαιολογικόν Δελτίον 19. Χρονικά. Β3: 436-447. Kopaka, K. and L. Platon. "Ληνοί Μινωικοί. Installations Minoennes de Traitement des Produits Liquides." Bulletin de Correspondance Hell?nique 117 (1993): 35-101.

Author:

E. S.

Photographs' metadata