Great example of the high level of craftsmanship by the Minoans. This is a gold pendant featuring two bees depositing honey in a honeycomb. It features three different gold working techniques and dates from 1800 B.C.
Cool octopus jar.
The famous 'snake goddess," as you can tell by certain of her features, she was a fertility goddess. She is holding snakes in her hand and has a cat on her head. Its supposed to symbolize her domination over nature, but it could be she is just a crazy cat lady.
Linear A, one of the earliest forms of writing. If you can decipher it, you can become very famous.
This is the bull leaper from around 1500 B.C. It is incomplete, obviously, but notice what a naturalistic pose the leaper is in. The leaper looks like a modern gymnast. Anyone who knows anything about art knows how difficult it is to draw or sculpt humans in such natural poses.
The bull jumping fresco found in the palace of Knossos. A central part of Minoan civilization religion performed in conjunction with worship. It was kind of like an ancient rodeo in which participants would try to leap onto and summersault off the moving bull.
Stunning quartz jar found at the Minoan palace complex in Zakros where we are going tomorrow.
The Phaistos Disc, one of the great mysteries of archaeology. This dates from about 1800-1600 B.C. and contains 241 signs. No one has yet to crack the code and determine the meaning or purpose of the disc. Now that I have taken a photo, you can try to figure it out.
Minoan helmet made from boar tusks. I think I need to kill some boar and make my own.
Alabaster vase given as a gift from Thutmose III, Pharaoh of Egypt. You can see the hieroglyphs on the front of the vase bearing his name. Thutmose III is one of the candidates for the Pharaoh of oppression at the time of Moses.
Monday, May 10, 2010
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'The famous 'snake goddess,"'
ReplyDeleteHey, I think I've seen this person. I'll revise my profile photo to show Snake Lady since I can't figure out how to post a pic in the comments.
Dr B, We miss you!!! I know that you miss us!!! Hope you are having a great time
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