When on holiday in Crete there is one place that most people just have to visit and this is the marvellous ruin of the Palace of Knossos.
Not only is this a superb place to spend some quality time, visitors learn about one of the oldest civilisations, the Minoans, who had made this lovely island their home.
There have been many wonderful artefacts found at the site of the Palace and these include the spectacular Bull’s Head which in the 16th century had been used in sacred rituals in the Little Palace of Knossos. Visitors to the island can see this marvellous Rhyton of the Bull’s Head at the museum of Iraklion where it is on permanent exhibition.
This beautiful vessel is a stone carving that was meticulously made with the muzzle encrusted with mother of pearl, the eyes made from rock crystal and the horns were gilded. During the 16th century the Minoans had perfected the art of stone carving and many wonderful works were created during this time. Luckily for us today we can see and marvel at some of the most beautiful ancient art work from Minoan times that have been discovered in Crete by visiting the museums on the island.
One of the Minoan divinities was in the form of a snake and is known as the ‘Snake Goddess’. Also known as the Household Goddess, the goddess is thought by some to have bought good fortune to Minoan houses although the goddess was also a symbol of the underworld giving her a Chthonic aspect as well. There has been much discussion about the meaning behind the Snake Goddess and what she meant to the ancient Minoans. Many people do not believe that she was a household deity or the Chthonic aspect that has been given to her by the early discoverers of these beautiful objects. What we do know is that she was worshipped by all Minoans.
The two very famous faiences of Snake Goddesses were found at Knossos and they date back to 1600 BCE. These statuettes are beautifully made and depict the women of the palace court dressed in lavish classical Minoans clothes. On one of the Snake Goddesses
the snake is seen to sliding around her body whereas the other statuette shows her holding the snakes in both of her hands.
There is so much to learn about the Minoan civilisation and seeing these lovely objects from ancient times it gives us an insight into an incredible period of Cretan culture as it was so very long ago. It is an extraordinary experience to see both the Bull’s Head and the statuettes of the Snake Goddesses that meant so much to the cults and civilisations who made this beautiful island their home. These great and ancient cultures have left so much for us to see and wonder at.
We all feel privileged to know just a little bit more about the way of life in ancient Minoan Crete.