Palaikastro Excavation 1902-1906: Season 1904
Excavation: Research excavation
Excavations in 1904 in the Palaikastro region by the British School at Athens were extensive. It is at this point that R.M. Dawkins took into consideration the nomenclature proposed by Evans at Knossos for dating material: Early Minoan, Middle Minoan (former 'Kamares Period') and Late Minoan (former 'Mycenaen Period' on Crete) with subdivisions within these periods. Early Minoan material was discovered at excavations of burial enclosures were carried out on the south slopes of Kastri at a location known as τα Ελληνικά. A Middle Minoan burial enclosure was also discovered here that was similar to the 'bone enclosure' found in 1902 in the south gravel ridge. Excavations at two knoll sites, one to the west of the town site of Roussolakkos (blocks Κ/Λ) and one to the south (blocks Σ/Υ) were investigated. In the knoll to the west the remains of a Late Minoan I house was exposed and remains in the one to the south were from all Late Minoan periods and included the find of an ivory figurine. More blocks were opened at the main Roussolakos site (blocks Ε, Ξ, and Π) revealing more structures and levels of Middle Minoan below that of Late Minoan. Block Δ was further investigated where one of the house rooms, which has been called the 'shrine of the snake goddess', contained numerous broken terracottas of the snake goddess type, female dancers, doves, a cache of conical cups and Late Minoan III pottery. A complete plan of the site was made, showing the excavated areas.
Active from Mar 1904 to Jun 1904.
Comyn, Dr Charles Heaton Fitzwilliam
Dawkins, Mr Richard McGillivray
Bosanquet, Professor Robert Carr
1904. Annual Meeting of Subscribers. BSA 10: 243-251. Direct link
Dawkins, Richard M. & Currelly, C. T. 1904. Excavations at Palaikastro. III. BSA 10: 192-231. Direct link