An elaborate, multi-storied building, with historical significance rivalling that of the famed Palace of Knossos, has unearthed a feature never before seen in a Minoan palace: a Portico Sanctuary, or sacred gateway. Positioned outside the main entrance of the Minoan Palace of Archanes on Crete, this sanctuary is marked by the presence of four altars and the twin arms of a giant stone platform – clearly a site of religious importance.
Uncovering the Sacred Gate: Religious Ritualism in Ancient Times
The Minoan city of Archanes, with its palace complex dating back to approximately 1900 BC, is situated within a secluded valley about 15 kilometers (9 miles) south of the Knossos palace on Crete. First identified in the 1960s, the Archanes site has since been recognized for its close historical ties with Minoan civilization.
Under the guidance of archaeologist Dr. Efi Sapouna-Sakellarakis, the recent excavation at the Minoan Palace of Archanes has also revealed a pyramidal base atop this platform in an earlier part of the excavation season. Prior to that, a double-axe base discovered in previous investigations indicated a carefully planned, possibly tiered arrangement, reports a press release by the Greek Ministry of Culture.
The entrance with the four altars (on the right in the photo) and two more altars, one rectangular and one stepped, inside the sanctuary courtyard. (Greek Ministry of Culture)
“Archaeologist Dr Efi Sapouna-Sakellarakis continued the archaeological research to complete the image of the three-storey building, which along with Knossos (the biggest Minoan palace on Crete), played an important role in the development of the Minoan civilization,” the Greek Ministry of Culture provided.
There is evidence of a third base on one of the platform’s western arms, partially preserved. All these finds together represent an evolution of Dr. Sapouna-Sakellarakis’s longstanding research, building on the pioneering work of her predecessor, archaeologist Giannis Sakellarakis, who first explored the site in the 1960s.
Drawing of the ground layout of the building that has been under excavation. (Greek Ministry of Culture)
The stone base, which had likely fallen from an upper floor, was found alongside charred wood remains and four bronze hooks. These hooks are thought to have served as connectors for a wooden figure, likely positioned on the upper floor of a room situated in the courtyard’s eastern section, and possibly played a role in ritual or ceremonial activities.
The Sacred Gate that flanks the palace’s entrance is surrounded on two sides by altars and stone platform arms. The altars include a large, elongated one and another with a stepped design, both partially unearthed previously.
The northern wing of the palace yielded two- and three-story structures with opulent rooms, interconnected by corridors and doors. Floors in these rooms were elegantly finished with bright plaster plates and slate slabs, many bordered by decorative bands that framed the flooring. Fragments of fallen plaster, some retaining traces of blue and red pigment, hint at the presence of frescoes that likely adorned the walls, enhancing the palace’s grandeur.
In the palace’s westernmost section, part of a doorway façade was discovered, preserving its lintel and a pillar base on the northern side, both coated in polished plaster.
Artist’s impression of the sacred gateway found at the Minoan palace of Archanes, Crete. (Greek Ministry of Culture)
Architectural Details: Local Deities and the Sacred Complex
The primary objectives of this season’s excavations were the clarification of certain architectural details within the palace complex. As it turns out, the results have far surpassed initial expectations: in a 96-square-meter (1033 square feet) area south of the palace entrance, an open courtyard was excavated, where many stones lay scattered, particularly on the eastern side of the courtyard.
This is despite other finds being relatively sparse. Recovered from this area were ceramic fragments spanning various periods, including Greek pottery as well as Mycenaean and pre-palatial pieces, reports LBV Magazine.
Beneath this disturbed layer, in the southern reaches of the excavation area, archaeologists encountered a destruction layer dating to the Mycenaean period, most likely the result of a fire that damaged parts of the palace during that era.
Although the palaces, including Archanes, were still in use during Minoan rule, the artifacts recovered from this layer were primarily Mycenaean, such as fragments of kylixes (cups), alongside some damaged Minoan objects, like part of a stone relief vase and a rock crystal fragment.
Pieces of pottery and terracotta recovered from the site. (Greek Ministry of Culture)
Exploring the Sacred Gateways
A prevailing theory from earlier suggesting a complex relationship with other Mycenaean portico sanctuaries has been posited again, such as those investigated by the archaeologist S. Charitonidis in the 1960s. Charitonidis hypothesized a similar sanctuary structure at the Lions’ Gate in Mycenae, although this theory remains a topic of debate among scholars.
In Minoan Crete, entrance sanctuaries associated with local deities were relatively common. An important example of this tradition is the cult of Eileithyia Prothyraia, the Cretan goddess known to protect thresholds and represent the liminal connection between sacred and profane realms.
Top image: Photo of the gate sanctuary unearthed at Minoan Palace of Archanes, and artist’s impressions. Source: Greek Ministry of Culture
By Sahir Pandey
