Sir Arthur Evans

Sir Arthur Evans Essay
How has the work of Sir Arthur Evans contributed to our understanding of the past?

The work of Arthur Evans in exploring Ancient Minoan civilisation on the island of Crete has significantly contributed to our understanding of the past. In examining his work, three observations may be made about Evans archaeological examinations. The interpretation and reconstruction of a site should not be influenced by archaeologist’s preconceived ideas, in investigating the past it is important to record and present observations and by using typology archaeologists are able to cross compare dates and sites. Evans work in the reconstruction of the palace of Knossos caused a controversial divide in the archaeological community.
The interpretation
Three years after this Evans purchased the site in which had already promising archaeological potential. After a year of excavating he had unearthed the site in which he believed was the palace of the mythical king Minos. A king who had kept a Minotaur (half man and half bull) in the labyrinth below the palace. It was Evans love of myths and legends that drew him to this site. “An archaeologist less single-minded may not have made this discovery, because it was his intense and romantic passion for the myths of the ancient world that drove him to excavate in Crete.” A fellow archaeologist Joseph Alexander Macgillivray to describe his colleague Arthur Evans. Evans is often criticised for his reconstruction of Knossos for relying heavily on his imagination and myths rather than purely evidence. “Evans did not simply initiate the process of unearthing an extremely elaborate archaeological assemblage. Rather, he started the process of materialising his pre-conceived dream, his ‘ecstatic vision’. He recreated his idealised world, full of peaceful, flower-loving, elegant, athletic Minoans, who were adoring Mother Goddesses and sacred
Through Evans notes archaeologists are able to go beyond the physical setting which has been compromisingly reconstructed. Evans was a methodical and meticulous note taker. This provides modern archaeologists exact knowledge and information which can be frequently cited. Archaeologists are able to read through Evans notes and piece together what Knossos was like before reconstruction. The notes provide some of the only insights pre-restoration in some situations. Evans also was very forth coming in publishing his finds to the public. In 1900, he reported his discoveries to The Times, receiving a large sum of £500. Evans wrote “The great discovery is whole deposits, entire or fragments of clay tablets analogous to the Babylonian but with inscriptions in the prehistoric script of Crete”. These were the words that intrigued the public and left them needing more. Evans frequently updated the media world on his finds. Evans also addressed many archaeological conferences on his discoveries and theories. Evans published his work in four volumes entitled The Palace of Minos at Knossos (1900) where he tells the public of the wondrous Minoan people. These books whilst providing through information and insight are also questionable. How much of Evans writing was based on his imagination of how the Minoans were? Upon his death, Evans donated his vast collection of archaeological