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<<Exhibitions
| Description | | Exhibits |

The permanent exhibition of the Heraklion Archaeological Museum

Main side of the stone rhyton with sanctuary representation
Rhyton with a representation of a peak sanctuary

This rhyton with a unique representation of a peak sanctuary is one of the most important works of Minoan art. It is made of several pieces, which were joined together, and was covered in gold leaf. A plastic ring separates the elongated body from the short neck. The entire surface of the rhyton is decorated in low relief. Schematic rocks, sparse flowers and shrubs, and wild goats in « flying gallop » suggest the wildness of the landscape. On the upper part of the vase, the mountain peak, is a tripartite shrine enclosed by a wall. The main entrance to the building is decorated with spirals and topped by a pair of wild goats sitting facing one another. The side rooms are decorated with staffs and banners, and have horns of consecration with perching birds on their roofs. In the courtyard of the sanctuary, in front of a flight of stairs, are three altars.

Exhibit Features
Date: Late Bronze Age, 1550-1500 BC
Place of discovery: Zakros, palace
Dimensions: height: 0,31 m
Material: green chlorite
Inventory number: ΑΕ 2764
Usage: Ritual
Exhibition hole: Hall VIII
Copyright: Hellenic Ministry of Culture
 
 
 
  Suggestive Bibliography
 
Ελληνική Τέχνη, Η αυγή της ελληνικής τέχνης, Αθήνα, 1994, αρ. 45 177, 321
 
Σακελλαράκης Ι.Α., Μουσείο Ηρακλείου, Αθήνα, 2003, 76
 
Βασιλάκης Α., Αρχαιολογικό Μουσείο Ηρακλείου, Αθήνα, χ.χ., 135
 
 
 
  See also
 
Archaeological site in Zakros