European Stars And Stripes (Newspaper) - January 24, 1987, Darmstadt, Hesse                                Do to Magazine tourists wander among the ruins of the Knossos Palace. The glories of ancient Knoo by Connie Dickey staff writer the Birthplace of he Western world i just seven Miles from the Iraklion As on the greek Island of Crete. Lying peacefully on Ahill Olive Trees standing guard around it. Arete remains of the Palace of Knossos excavations in the area have unearthed relics from several cultures but ii a the highly advanced minoan culture for which it is Best known to laymen. Legend records that King Minos ruler during the height of the minoan culture lived there. Minns was the son of zeus King of gods. After obtaining Crete with the Aid of the god Poseidon Minos gained control Over the Aegean islands and ruled the area from Knossos. The Story goes that Minos married Pasi phae the daughter of the Sun. Who bore him seven children among them minotaur a beast that was half Man and half Bull. Minotaur was kept in the Depths of Hie Palace a labyrinth of 1,400 rooms account depict Minot As a just and pow Raul ruler closely associated with religion and ritual excavations have led scholars to consider Minos a Royal or dynastic title Lor the priestly rulers of the Bronze age of minoan culture rather than any one particular King. The inhabitants of the Island during this age enjoyed a nourishing of economic political and social organization. They increased Trade in the Eastern Mediterranean. Their craftsmen excelled in Stone carving Gold work jewelry and pottery making. According to guide Evangelos Vrentzos the minoan culture seems to have been More advanced than any other in Europe at that time. To emphasize he Point he shows tourists the sewer system that travels through the private rooms of the King and Queen and the Queen s private bathroom where she had a hush toilet and Bathtub. It was not until the British archaeologist sir Arthur Evans began excavating the ruins of the Palace at Knossos in 1900 Hal the cultural advancement claim could by substantiated. The paintings found on Palace Walls show movement of some Hind which Vrentzos said was unheard of for that time period. There Are numerous religious symbols of Bull horns and double headed axes carved Inlo the Walls throughout the Palace. Evans became intrigued by the Island stimulated by his interest in ancient coins. The writing on Stone seals from Crete lured him to the Island in 1894, he purchased a track of land there in 1699, which included the site of Knossos and a year later began excavations that became one of archaeology s major Linds for 25 years his diggings revealed relics suggesting a priest King inhabited the huge Palace. Eventually the excavation spread across s to acres and indicated Knossos had been an ancient cultural capital. Evans found buildings dating to 2000 . And others that suggest the Palace had been destroyed by an earthquake around 1700 . Remains showed it had been rebuilt about 1600 so partially destroyed and rebuilt again in 1500 . And finally destroyed in 1375 ., presumably by a violent volcanic eruption. The local greeks like to say the earthquake thai destroyed Knossos was in fact when the Tost continent Atlantis dropped into the sea. But according to recent Sacientic discoveries it was Deal toyed by he violent volcanic eruption of Santorini in 1450, for whatever reasons Tho civilization of Knossos May have been destroyed an abundance of information on the area was left behind. The site is Well Worth a visit. Walk through the ruins around the Palace with a Little imagination you can saturday january 24, 1987 picture the Royal family s servants and workers scurrying around the opulent Palace. Evans reconstructed parts of the Palace Wilh Concrete plaster and paint. He was Able to identify columns of doorways because huge tree trunk bases remained. Because the columns kept going downward Evans believed the Palace could be larger than the three floors he originally found. He eventually found live floors and the Maze of thousands of rooms which together made he Palace. He found paintings that have since been restored unearthed pottery and Clay tables. On the North Side of the Palace the first excavations revealed huge pits where pottery was thrown. The pottery was found in layers depicting styles of different cultures that inhabited lha area. Among the lands were 12 targe storage vases Lour intact called i trios. In the area identified As the store room. The vases Are thought to have held Olive of another find was iwo Gold Snake goddess statues now in i to archaeological museum in Iraklion. Two throne rooms have been identified one for religious purposes and one for administrative business the administrative room had 11 openings for fresh air and Light other ruins identified at the Palace site were a guest House Small temples storage rooms craftsmen s rooms and a room where travellers could Wash up before seeing the King. The stars and stripes Page 1