A remarkable 4,000-year-old ring-shaped stone monument has been discovered on a hill on the Greek island of Crete. The 1,800 square meter (19,375 sq ft) Bronze Age structure was found on top of Papoura Hill, northwest of the town of Kastelli, and was uncovered during excavation work for a major airport project.
The site is now being investigated by archaeologists who believe it may have had a ritual or religious purpose.
The labyrinthine structure consists of eight concentric stone rings 1.4 meters (4.6 ft) in diameter, some of which still stand at heights of up to 1.7 meters.
The architects of the newfound structure came from the Minoan culture of Crete, known for its pinnacles, hilltop and mountaintop sites believed to have been used in ancient rituals.
These sites often contain magnificent examples of Minoan art, including religious architecture, terracotta figurines of animals and people, and in some cases, detached body parts – referred to as “votive limbs” – that were offered in prayer or as thanks for healing.
However, it is not clear whether the circular structure on Papoura Hill would qualify as a summit sanctuary – aside from its hilltop location, it is unlike any other Minoan structure found so far.
Greek Ministry of Culture
In an announcement, the Greek Ministry of Culture suggests that “they may have been regularly used for possible ritual ceremonies involving the consumption of food, wine and possibly sacrifice,” due to the large number of animal bones found inside.
The main period of use of the structure, 2000–1700 BC, falls into the Middle Minoan period. During this time the population on the island increased dramatically, especially in Knossos, Phaistos and Malia. With this boom, the construction of the iconic Minoan palaces in Crete began to meet the needs of the growing society.
Palaces were built on sites that had been used for communal ceremonies for thousands of years. In about 1750–1700 BCE, many structures were destroyed; the main theory is an earthquake.
After 1450 BC, the Mycenaeans from the Greek mainland dominated the island, and many of the high sanctuaries that had been widespread in the Minoan culture fell into disuse.
Remains of pottery from the Neopalatial period (c. 1750–1470 BC) have led archaeologists to believe that the site may have continued to be used until the Middle Minoan period.
It is a difficult task to plan a building in Greece, where plans are often thwarted by the discovery of another ancient historical site. The Kastelli Airport project alone has already led to the discovery of at least 35 newly discovered archaeological sites, according to the Greek Ministry of Culture.
The ministry tried to assure the public that the building would be protected from modern construction, at least for the time being.
“It is a unique find that is of great interest. There are solutions to complete the archaeological research of the monument and to completely protect it,” says archaeologist Lina Mendoni, the Greek Minister of Culture.
“Preserving the monument is a priority for all of us… We all understand the importance and value of cultural heritage.”
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