Arthur Evans and the Palace of Knossos
Arthur Evans and the Palace of Knossos
Archaeology has contributed greatly to our knowledge of past civilisation and in turn the general understanding of humanity’s progression through the ages. Without archaeology, this knowledge and understanding would be extremely limited in its range of sources and evidence. Ancient civilisations underground provide an extensive range of remains and artefacts from which historians can draw accurate, informed conclusions about mortals who have long since turned to dust. An impressive example of a culture whose creators have long since passed on yet leave an indelible mark on modern society: the Palace of Knossos, central administration and cultural building in the largest city of the period known as Minoan Crete (Bronze Age). Co-ordinated by Sir Arthur John Evans, the discovery of the Palace and subsequent deductions made from the findings, added greatly to the depth of knowledge concerning prehistoric Mediterranean Europe. Without Evan’s excavations of Knossos and the consequent revelations, present day knowledge and understanding of the history of Mediterranean Europe be far less certain and in-depth than it currently is.
The first discovery of Knossos as an archaeological site was in 1878, by a Greek named Minos Kalokairinos; however the actual excavations were initiated and conducted by Sir Arthur John Evans (Swindale, 1998, online). Born in 1851, Evans (See Appendix 1) was raised in Hertfordshire, England, educated at Harrow and Oxford and upon graduation in 1865 was given a large allowance by his father, also an amateur archaeologist (Odyssey Adventures, 2012, online). He then toured European countries such as Turkey, Italy and the Balkans, feeding his zest for discovery and adventure, and was later appointed curator of the Ashmolean Museum in 1884. He is credited with greatly expanding the museum’s collection (including the largest set of Minoan artefacts outside Greece) and quality of exhibition, throughout the
Archaeology has contributed greatly to our knowledge of past civilisation and in turn the general understanding of humanity’s progression through the ages. Without archaeology, this knowledge and understanding would be extremely limited in its range of sources and evidence. Ancient civilisations underground provide an extensive range of remains and artefacts from which historians can draw accurate, informed conclusions about mortals who have long since turned to dust. An impressive example of a culture whose creators have long since passed on yet leave an indelible mark on modern society: the Palace of Knossos, central administration and cultural building in the largest city of the period known as Minoan Crete (Bronze Age). Co-ordinated by Sir Arthur John Evans, the discovery of the Palace and subsequent deductions made from the findings, added greatly to the depth of knowledge concerning prehistoric Mediterranean Europe. Without Evan’s excavations of Knossos and the consequent revelations, present day knowledge and understanding of the history of Mediterranean Europe be far less certain and in-depth than it currently is.
The first discovery of Knossos as an archaeological site was in 1878, by a Greek named Minos Kalokairinos; however the actual excavations were initiated and conducted by Sir Arthur John Evans (Swindale, 1998, online). Born in 1851, Evans (See Appendix 1) was raised in Hertfordshire, England, educated at Harrow and Oxford and upon graduation in 1865 was given a large allowance by his father, also an amateur archaeologist (Odyssey Adventures, 2012, online). He then toured European countries such as Turkey, Italy and the Balkans, feeding his zest for discovery and adventure, and was later appointed curator of the Ashmolean Museum in 1884. He is credited with greatly expanding the museum’s collection (including the largest set of Minoan artefacts outside Greece) and quality of exhibition, throughout the
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