Zakros

Zakros (Ζάκρος or Κατό Ζάκο) is an ancient Minoan archaeological site located on the eastern coast of Crete in Greece. The site consists of two main areas: Epano Zakros (Gornji Zakros), situated on a hill, and Kato Zakros, located near the sea coast.

History

The earliest known settlement at Zakros dates back to around 2000 BC, during the Early Minoan period. A pithos found there had a Linear A inscription recording a large quantity of wine. The site was later rebuilt in the Middle Minoan period, with the construction of an old palace that collapsed around 1700-1625 BC due to a large seismic event.

Palace of Zakros

The Palace of Zakros, also known as the New Palace, was discovered in 1961 by Nikolaos Platon. The palace is situated on a hill and consists of a central courtyard surrounded by four winged buildings with multiple rooms, workshops, and hallways. The main entrance is from the east, where the harbor is located. Archaeological excavations have revealed over 10,000 artifacts, including clay tiles with Linear A inscriptions, stone vases, seals, wine presses, and olives.

Excavation History

The site was first excavated by Hogarth of the British School of Archaeology at Athens in 1901, primarily in the central area of Ayios Antonios. Later, Nikolaos Platon re-started the excavation in 1961 and discovered the Palace of Zakros. Two enclosures were excavated, one a single tomb and another a multi-chambered grave.

Trade and Economy

Zakros was an important trade center for the Minoans, with connections to Egypt, Cyprus, and the Middle East. The site's protected port made it a hub for sea trade.

Modern Significance

The Palace of Zakros is one of the largest sources of recovered Linear A inscriptions, after Haghia Triada. The site has been the subject of various archaeological studies, including those by Nikolaos Platon, Judith Reid, and Alexandra Salichou.

References

* Bosanquet, R. C., "Excavations at Palaikastro." Annual of the British School at Athens 9 (1903): pp. 287.
* Catling, H., "Archaeology in Greece, 1979-80." Archaeological Reports, no. 26 (1979): s. 53.
* Chrysoulaki, S., and L. Plato, "Relations between the town and palace of Zakros." Acta Instituti Atheniensis Regni Sueciae, Series 4o: ΧΧΧV (1984): pp. 77-84.
* François, E. B., "Archaeology in Greece, 1969-1970." Archaeological Reports, no. 16 (1969): s. 31.
* Gerontakou, Eleni, Maria Kyritsi, and Alexandra Salichou, "Identity and Structure in the Minoan town of Zakros." OIKOS: Archaeological Approaches to House Societies in the Bronze Age Aegean 19 (2020): pp. 172.
* Hogarth, H., "Excavations at Zakros." Annual of the British School at Athens 9 (1903): pp. 287-288.
* Nikolaos Platon, "Zakros: The Discovery of a Lost Palace of Ancient Crete." Scribner (1971).
* Papit, Judith L., "Minoan town planning." Dissertation, Temple University (2013).
* Plato, Lefteris, and Eleni Gerontakou, "Middle Minoan III: a'gap'or a'missing link' in the history of the Minoan site of Zakros?" British School at Athens Studies (2013): pp. 212.
* Platon, Lefteris, "Studying the Character of the Minoan 'Household' within the Limits of the Neopalatial Settlement of Zakros." Hesperia Supplements 44 (2011): pp. 151-161.
* Reid, Judith, "Minoan Kato Zakro: A Pastoral Economy." BAR Publishing (2007).
* Salichou, Alexandra, "The role of courtyards in maintaining lighting and ventilation comforts in Neopalatial domestic architecture." (Spanish) (2015): pp. 365.
* Stieglitz, Robert R., "The Minoan Pithos Inscription from Zakro." Kadmos 22.1 (1983): pp. 7-8.
* Syrmos, Niko