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CASE #N4CJUO · 2 entities · 1 connections
The Labyrinth of Knossos
A British archaeologist found a real, genuinely maze-like ancient palace on Crete exactly where Greek myth said the Minotaur's labyrinth stood — then rebuilt large parts of it based substantially on his own imagination.
Greek mythology describes a labyrinth built at Knossos on Crete to house the Minotaur, a half-man, half-bull creature. In 1900, archaeologist Arthur Evans began excavating a genuine, real Bronze Age palace complex at the site, with a complex, maze-like architectural layout — but his extensive reconstructions of the ruins have been criticized by later archaeologists as reflecting his own theories more than solid physical evidence.
⇄disputed
Quick facts
- →According to Greek mythology, King Minos commissioned the inventor Daedalus to build a labyrinth at Knossos to contain the Minotaur.
- →Arthur Evans began excavating the real archaeological site at Knossos in 1900, uncovering a genuine, large, and architecturally complex Bronze Age palace.
- →Evans conducted extensive physical reconstruction of the ruins during his excavation, including concrete additions and reconstructed frescoes, based substantially on his own interpretation of what the palace originally looked like.
- →Later archaeologists and historians have specifically criticized Evans's reconstructions as reflecting his personal theories about Minoan civilization more than rigorously verified archaeological evidence.
Entities on file
Palace of Knossos (location)
Real excavated Bronze Age palace on Crete, traditionally identified with the mythical labyrinth of the Minotaur; extensively reconstructed by archaeologist Arthur Evans.
No outgoing connections on file.
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Arthur Evans (person)
British archaeologist who excavated and extensively reconstructed the Palace of Knossos beginning in 1900.
→ excavated and extensively reconstructed → Palace of Knossos✓documented