The Oldest European Civilisation

Abstract

THE fourth volume, in two parts, of “The Palace of Minos” completes what is the most remarkable account of an archseological site ever published, and it appears just forty years after Sir Arthur Evans began his first exploration at Knossos. The whole work, to use the author's own words, “has some title to be regarded as an Encyclopaedia of Minoan cultural features, of its Art, and of its Religion”. These two parts run to 1,069 pages, with 966 figures in the text and 36 plates, and from this comprehensive material a reviewer can only select for comment some of the more remarkable matters here brought to light as illustrative of Minoan religion, art and civilisation.

The Palace of Minos:

a Comparative Account of the Successive Stages of the Early Cretan Civilization as illustrated by the Discoveries of Knossos. By Sir Arthur Evans. Vol. 4, Part 1: Emergence of Outer Western Enceinte, with New Illustrations, Artistic and Religious, of the Middle Minoan Phase; Chryselephantine Lady of Sports, Snake Room and Full Story of the Cult; Late Minoan Ceramic Evolution and Palace Style. Pp. xxxv + 378 + 14 plates. Vol. 4, Part 2: Camp-Stool Fresco—Long-robed Priests and Beneficent Genii; Chryselephantine Boy-God and Ritual Hair-Offering; Intaglio Types, M.M.III–L.M.II; Late Hoards of Sealings; Deposits of Inscribed Tablets and the Palace Stores; Linear Script B and its Mainland Extension; Closing Palatial Phase—Room of Throne and Final Catastrophe; with Epilogue on the Discovery of Ring of Minos and Temple Tomb. Pp. xvi + 379–1018 + 22 plates. (London: Macmillan and Co., Ltd., 1935.) 2 parts, £9 9s. 0d. net.