Gournia,
Archanes and Ayia Triada: Palaces or Not?
by Ioannis Georganas
ARCHANES
a) Architecture and finds
The continual occupation of
the town of Archanes for many centuries prevents us from forming
an overview of the "palace" building, which lies just
below the modern houses. However, four excavated areas revealed
a building, which according to its excavators was of a palatial
character (Sakellarakis
1991, 1997). These four areas are the following: a) the main
part of the building at Tourkoyeitonia, b) the area of the Cistern,
c) the part of the Theatral Area, and d) the area of the Archive.
In addition, there are remains of walls in Ierochiton Street,
Tourkoyeitonia and in the Vornia district.
The excavation of the core of
the building complex at Tourkoyeitonia has revealed 21 architectural
areas, including part of the south courtyard (Areas 1/11). At
the north-eastern part of Courtyard 1 the main entrance was found,
the sides of which consist of large ashlar blocks of high quality.
Two column bases were also found and between the eastern one
and its neighbouring wall, four incurved altars were found. Their
presence here is of great significance as they indicate a "sacred
gate" (Sakellarakis
1991:32). To the north of the entrance lies Antechamber 2.
Its floor was decorated with a row of squares bordered by red
plaster and the walls were certainly adorned by wall paintings.
Today, only on the east wall are there traces of them, with the
motif of a woman holding a branch, a well-known theme in the
Creto-Mycenaean iconographic cycle (Sakellarakis 1991:32-3, 1997:82). The antechamber
gives access to Area 3 by way of polythyron. The room communicates
with Areas 23, 24, 26, 27 and 28. From its north-west corner,
Corridor 5 leads to the north, and a doorway in the north-east
corner leads to Room 4. Room 4 must have been one of the most
important rooms in this area of the building, as the presence
of benches, elaborate pottery and figurine indicates (Sakellarakis 1991:33-5, 1997:86-9). The other
most important room in the ground floor is Hall 10. Its centre
is paved with a rectangular blue marble floor with coloured plaster
painting and skirting. Along the west, north and east walls of
the room, benches exist. In the middle of the north wall there
is a raised base (0.60m wide) made of hardened plaster, with
a depression and channel next to it. The excavators have suggested
that it may have supported a seat made of perishable material
(Sakellarakis 1991:39,
1997:101). A unique jug-like vase made of veined marble was
found in the middle of the room, containing a triton shell. In
addition, some ivory rings found on the floor were possibly inlays
in some important item of furniture (Sakellarakis 1997:101). This evidence, leads
us to assume that Hall 10 had a ceremonial function, possibly
being the throne room.
