Maze of Crete: The Mystery of the Origin of Greek and Roman Mythology

Author: [British] Donald A. MacKenzie
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2006-01-01
Features: In 1900, British archaeologists Evans and others unearthed the ruins of a palace on Crete. It covered an area of about two hectares, with hundreds of rooms connected by winding corridors, its structure so complex that it was rare. The labyrinth also revealed the Double Axe symbol, and scholars unanimously believed this was the Double Axe Palace of the Minoan Kingdom. So was the cannibalism real? In a small room of the palace, archaeologists discovered thousands of tablets inscribed with writing, one of which clearly read, "Seven women from Athens were brought as tribute, along with one boy and one girl." This reminded people of the story of the Minotaur, sparking speculation. Surprisingly, in the spring of 1980, British archaeologists announced in Athens that they had unearthed over 200 fragmented human bones in a house from the Bronze Age on Crete. They belonged to eight to eleven boys and girls aged ten to fifteen, their skeletons showing marks of being slaughtered. So, what advantage did Crete have to hold such an important position in Greek civilization? The research of archaeologists has filled in this brilliant page of Crete in human history. Is it myth or a horrifying historical legend? What role did Crete play in ancient Greek mythology and its mysterious civilization?