Heraklion Archaeological Museum - CollectiveAccess System : Bronze objects : Bronze bull figurine with microscopic inscription [Χ767]

Bronze bull figurine with microscopic inscription

Χ767

Metal (Bronze)

Intact with minor wear.

Height: 4. 6 cm. Length: 6.5 cm. (with horns) Diameter of gold disc: 0.34 cm.

Hagia Triada

Piazzale dei Sacelli

Late Bronze Age. Final Palatial - Postpalatial period, Late Minoan IIIΑ - ΙIIB period.:

1400 - 1200 BC:

Gallery:

Case:

124

Exhibition thematic unit:

Late Bronze Age - Postpalatial period (1300-1100 BC). Settlements. Sanctuaries. Tombs

Description

Small bull figurine of solid bronze. On its forehead is a tiny inset gold disc with incised Linear A signs. The figurine was found in the early 20th century and studied by scholars, but the signs incised on the forehead were only discovered during restoration and cleaning in preparation for the new exhibition of the Heraklion Archaeological Museum, which was inaugurated in 2014. The microscopic signs were probably engraved with the aid of some sort of magnifying lens. There seem to have been further signs next to them which have not been preserved. The surviving signs are found in both Linear A and B scripts. This is the most microscopic inscription in the prehistoric Aegean. The bull figurine is one of the bronze votives found at the open-air shrine of Agia Triada. The shrine mainly flourished in the Postpalatial, Subminoan and Early Geometric periods, continuing into historical times.

Bibliography:

D’Agata, A.L. Le Statuine Minoiche e Post-Minoiche dai Vecchi Scavi di H. Triada (Creta). SAIA Monographie vol. XI, Haghia Triada II, Roma, 1999, 64, Tav. XXX. Kanta, A. and M. Perna. "A Late Minoan IIIA-B Bull Bearing a Linear Inscription from the "Piazzale dei Sacelli" of Haghia Triada." In F. Carinci, N. Cucuzza, P. Milittello, O. Palio (eds), Κρήτης Μινωίδος. Τradizione e Identit? Minoica tra Produzione Artigianale, Pratiche Cerimoniali e Memoria del Passato, Studi di Archeologia Cretese X, Padova, 2011, 285-296. Pilali-Papasteriou, A. Die Bronzenen Tierfiguren aus Kreta. Pr?historische Bronzefunden I.3. M?nchen, 1985, 14, 15, Taf. 1:3.

Author:

E. S.

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