Seals from the Minoan chamber tombs at Poros

Abstract

This article presents forty seals and three scarabs found in six Minoan chamber tombs at Poros, excavated by Nota Dimopoulou between 1986 and 2002 in the area of the main port of Knossos. These large rock-cut tombs, part of a Neopalatial cemetery, were used for many dozens of burials from as early as Middle Minoan II B until Late Minoan I B, after which the cemetery was abandoned. For each tomb a description is given of the excavation and principal finds, followed by detailed catalogue entries, with comparanda and commentaries, for the seals found therein; evidence for context dating is also provided. The article concludes
by discussing the range of materials and style groups represented, emphasizing the exceptional quality of the seals. Impressions of the seals are illustrated with half-tone photographs accompanying the catalogue entries. Composite figures in colour show the original faces and profiles of the seals, grouped according to tomb.