The recent excavation at the Minoan palace of Archanes, in Crete, has yielded an extraordinary and unique discovery under the direction of archaeologist Dr. Efi Sapouna-Sakellarakis. This investigation, which seeks to expand knowledge about this three-story building, which played a significant role in the development of Minoan civilization, like the palace of Knossos, has led to the revelation of a Portico Sanctuary or sacred gate, an element found for the first time in a Minoan palace.

This sanctuary, located outside the main entrance of the palace, stands out for being accompanied by four altars and two arms of a stone platform, all elements that emphasize the religious importance of the site.

In addition to this discovery, recent excavations have uncovered a pyramidal base on the same platform, complementing a double-axe base found in a previous investigation. There is the possibility of a third base, although it is only fragmentarily preserved on one of the western arms of the platform. These findings are a continuation of the work Dr. Sapouna-Sakellarakis has carried out for decades, building upon the original research of archaeologist Giannis Sakellarakis in the 1960s.

Archanes Sacred Gate
Representation of the entrance of the palace of Archanes with the altars. Credit: Greek Ministry of Culture

One of the main goals of this excavation season was to clarify certain architectural remains of the complex, but the findings have exceeded expectations, providing valuable information. In the southern section of the site, an area of 96 square meters was excavated in a courtyard located south of the entrance with the aforementioned altars. Here, the excavation found a large quantity of fallen stones in the eastern part of the courtyard, although the findings were limited. Among them are ceramic fragments from different periods, ranging from Greek pottery to Mycenaean and pre-palatial ceramics.

Beneath this altered layer, in the southernmost part of the excavation, a Mycenaean destruction layer was discovered, probably caused by a fire that affected part of the Minoan palace. Although the Minoan palaces, including that of Archanes, continued to be used during the Mycenaean period, the findings in this layer primarily include fragments of Mycenaean kylikes, along with some damaged Minoan objects, such as a piece of a stone relief vase and a fragment of rock crystal.

The highlight of the excavation was the revelation of the structure of a Sacred Gate at the entrance of the palace, flanked by the altars and the arms of the stone construction. These altars, one of which is large and elongated, while the other is stepped, had been discovered in previous seasons.

Archanes Sacred Gate
Massive fallen stones under which a stone base was discovered with burnt wood remains. Credit: Greek Ministry of Culture

The relationship of these elements with other portico sanctuaries from the Mycenaean period, like those investigated by archaeologist S. Charitonidis in the 1960s, adds an interesting dimension to this discovery. Charitonidis explored, for example, a possible sanctuary structure at the Lions’ Gate in Mycenae, although his theory has been questioned by other scholars.

In Minoan Crete, sanctuaries at entrances were common, as demonstrated by other findings dedicated to local deities. One of the most well-known examples is the cult of Eileithyia Prothyraia, a Cretan goddess who protected thresholds and symbolized the connection between sacred space and profane ground.

Another notable finding is a stone base discovered south of the main entrance of the palace, which had fallen from an upper floor, along with charred wood remains and four bronze hooks. This set suggests that the hooks served as connectors for a wooden figure, which was probably located on the upper floor of a room in the eastern part of the courtyard and fulfilled a religious function.

Archanes Sacred Gate
Drawing of the south entrance of the palace with two bases for double axes. Credit: Greek Ministry of Culture

In the northern wing of the palace, two- and three-story structures with luxurious rooms were discovered, connected by corridors and doors. The floors of these rooms were decorated with bright plaster plates and slate slabs, and many of them were adorned with decorative bands framing the floor slabs. Additionally, fallen plaster fragments were found, some of which still retained traces of blue and red paint, suggesting the presence of frescoes on the walls.

Finally, in the westernmost section of the palace, part of the façade of a door was unearthed, preserving its lintel and the base of a pillar on the northern side, both made of bright plaster.

This fascinating collection of findings reinforces the importance of Archanes in Minoan Crete, as suggested by earlier archaeologists such as Sir Arthur Evans, who was the first to notice the significance of this site due to the objects found in the nearby Minoan cemetery on Mount Fourni. Subsequently, Giannis and Efi Sakellarakis carried out excavations that revealed tholos tombs, funerary buildings, and box-shaped tombs from the Mycenaean period.

SOURCES

Greek Ministry of Culture

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