Archaeological Museum of Crete
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| Most of the artifacts found at the Palace of Knossos and other Minoan Palaces on Crete are housed in the Iraklion Museum in Iraklion. Below is just a sampling of what can be found there. If you decide to visit the museum, keep in mind that most museums in Greece do not allow flash photography. | |
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Some of the most spectacular items found at Knossos are the frescoes. The Bull Leaping fresco is one of the most important surviving frescoes. This depicts the Minoan "Bull Sports", religious contests for both men and women. As the fresco shows the contestant would first grab the bull by the horns, then make the leap of death over the bulls back, finally landing on the ground. The fresco of the "Ladies in Blue" shows elegant ladies of the court of Knossos engaged in conversation. "La Parisienne" fresco was so titled because it was thought to depict everything that was considered feminine beauty by those that discovered her in 1903. The fresco was part of a larger fresco that was one of the most well preserved in Knossos. |
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| These are some of the clay ritual goddesses found in the sanctuaries of Minoan people. The raised hands has many interpretations, as do the different symbols on their heads. For instance the poppy seeds of the middle figure is believed to represent the bringer of sleep or death goddess. |
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| These two figures are known as the Snake Goddesses. They are among the most important artifacts from the Palace of Knossos They were found among many other artifacts in the Temple Repositories. They are important for two reasons. First, they are thought to represent the mother goddess and her daughter. As well, they are thought to depict the fashion of dress for the Minoan women. | 
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| These depict the Horns of Concentration one the symbols of the Minoan Culture. It is thought these horns were used to decorate the Palace and for some rituals. |  |
| The figure represents a person in leaping over the back of the bull part of the bull sport contests of the Minoan people. This figure is part of a sculpture composition which is unique to Minoan art for this time period, since it depicts a human figure in the midst of a moment in motion and space. |
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| This rhyton is an example of the fine stone work produced by the Minoan people most of the rhytons were very basic vessels, a few like this one depict common Minoan symbol of the bull. It was a vessel used in their religious rites, the liquid required for the ritual being poured out of openings in the bulls nostrils. | 
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| These 2 to 3 metre tall axes were used to decorate the Hall of the Double Axes in the Palace's Grand Staircase area. Along with the bull, the double axe is a common symbol of the Minoan Culture. Near the museum you will find stores selling all sorts of jewlery with the double axe on them. | 
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The Boar Tooth Helmet demonstrates how the Ancient people of Crete can produce items that are both functional as well as decorative. |
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| This sculpture represents a group of men in a circular dance, possibly to honour a deified dead. The dance is in a round building decorated with the horns of consecration. It is believed that these sculptures represent Funerary Cults which were not common in Ancient Crete, but practised in some instance for persons such as kings, priests, or higher officials. |  |
