Clay human hand model.
Π3448
Clay
Intact. Part of the thumb is broken.
Length: 7.5 cm. Width of hand: 3 cm. Thickness of arm: 1. 7 cm.
Petsophas
Peak Sanctuary
Middle Bronze Age. Late Prepalatial - Protopalatial period, Middle Minoan Ι - II period.:
1900 - 1700 BC:
Gallery:
II
Case:
21
Exhibition thematic unit:
Middle Bronze Age - Late Prepalatial-Protopalatial period (2200-1700 BC). From small communities to towns
Peak sanctuaries
Description
Model of a hand and arm from the upper arm to the fingers, including the bend in the elbow. In the upper end of the arm is a hole from which the object could be suspended by a string. It appears to have been painted solid red, while a wide bracelet is rendered in white. The model arm belongs to a group of votives at Petsophas depicting torsos cut vertically in half (half-bodies) and human body parts such as arms and legs. They are believed to be offerings made by sick people praying to the deity for healing of the specific body part depicted.
Bibliography:
Arnott, R. "Healing Cult in Minoan Crete." In P.P. Betancourt, V. Karageorghis, R. Laffineur, W.-D. Niemeier (eds), Meletemata. Studies in Aegean Archaeology Presented to Malcom H. Wiener as He Enters His 65th Year. Vol. I. Aegaeum 20. Li?ge, 1999, 1-6. Myres, J.L., "Excavations at Palaikastro II. The sanctuary-site of Petsofa." Annual of the British School at Athens 9 (1902/3): 356-387, pl. XII:43. Rutkowski, Β. Petsophas. A Cretan Peak Sanctuary. Warsaw, 1991, 101, pl. XLV:.
Author:
E. S.
Photographs' metadata