GREECE.- The works on an airport on the Greek island of Crete have revealed a monumental architectural complex, circular in shape, unique in Minoan archaeology, approximately 48 meters in diameter.
The site, which extends over 1,800 square meters, is on the top of a hill northwest of the city of Kastelli, expropriated to build a radar, which will now be located elsewhere.
This monumental construction consists of 8 overlapping stone rings (with an average thickness of 1.40 m and an estimated maximum survival height of 1.7 m) developed at different elevations. The rings form in the center a circular building (zone A) with a diameter of 15 m of exhibition construction, whose interior (diameter 9m) is divided into 4 quadrants. Zone A is surrounded by a second main zone (zone B, maximum width 6.9), in which the radial walls vertically intersect the rings of the lower levels forming smaller spaces. As the excavation progresses, an almost labyrinthine structure is revealed, as the spaces communicate with each other through narrow openings. Two possible main entrances to the central zones were revealed on the SW and NW sides.
The main period of use appears to have been between 2000-1700 BC. C., that is, it was probably founded shortly before or at the beginning of the Paleopalatial period, while the presence of Neopalatial ceramics in the destruction layer indicates that the use of the monument continued at the time of the new palaces, reports the Ministry of Culture of Greece in a statement.
As excavation investigations are still in progress at this stage, it is not possible at this time to determine the original shape or total height of the structure. The houses in the central area, as indicated by the hortatory construction system, probably had a truncated conical or vaulted shape. The two zones A and B formed by the upper rings seem to be the main focus of activity.
Ritual use of the monument
The quantity and type of finds, as well as the presence of a large number of animal bones, do not indicate, until today, a permanent residential use, but probably a periodic use in the form of rituals that possibly involved the consumption of food, wine and perhaps offerings.
This is the first monument of its kind identified and excavated in Crete. Its size, architectural structure and meticulous construction required considerable work, specialized experience and a strong central administration, which organized its construction.
What is certain is that it is some kind of community building, a landmark for the wider area of the plain. The fact that the structure is monumental and prominent probably indicates the importance of the location, but also the range of population it would serve.
The plan of the monument and the structure of the zones and spaces as it has been revealed to date, but also the entire construction does not have an exact parallel with other buildings of the same period in Crete, although as a form it is not unknown for architectural ensembles of the Early Bronze Age in the Middle East. Perhaps it may have a parallel with the elliptical building of Hamaizius, as well as with the so-called circular Proto-Hellenic cyclopean building of Tiryns. However, structural similarities can also be found with the so-called vaulted tombs of the prepalatial and paleopalatial period of southern Crete.
Source: EUROPA PRESS
