Phaistos Palace, kernoi photogallery

Phaistos, Crete

Phaistos, Crete

At Phaistos Palace stone kernoi are interestingly concentrated over the limestone steps of the theatral terraces and along the paved flooring beneath. These kernoi appear worn, more likely for anthropic use than for natural weathering, so testifying foot traffic and/or the sitting of spectators. Depressions are too shallow to contain anything, apart from holding little pebbles or seeds. Such a connection with open-air shows or ceremonies would favour … [photogallery]

by AA



Phaistos Palace, kernoi photogallery

At Phaistos Palace stone kernoi (so-called  in analogy with vessels later used in Eleusinian mysteries for multiple offerings) are interestingly concentrated over the limestone steps of the theatral terraces and along the paved flooring beneath. 94 of them have been catalogued by Ferrari and Cucuzza in 2004 in this area, an open-air structure believed to be an area for shows or ceremonies, i.e. a theatre, as defined by the archaeologists who unearthed it, mainly because the steps are not connected to any exit way.

Stone kernoi appear worn, more likely for anthropic use than for natural weathering, so testifying foot traffic and/or the sitting of spectators. Depressions are too shallow to contain anything, apart from holding little pebbles or seeds. Such a connection with open-air shows or ceremonies would favour …

If interested, you may read the related TRACCE paper:
Phaistos, Crete, cup-marks and other signs.


Photogallery of the Phaistos kernoi (click to enlarge; 20 images, pictures by AA)



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