Page 28 - SMCK Magazine #4

Gold bracelet, ca 2600 BC.
Gold pendant, 2600 BC.
Gold bead, ca 2600 BC.
Gold bead, 1900 BC.
A bead of lapis lazuli was even found at Petras. Finished pieces are very rarely imported. At Petras we excavated a very rare gold bead figurine of two men embracing, probably im- ported from Syria. The motifs and techniques are the same throughout the island and evolve with time, especially with the introduction of new techniques.
SMCK: What differences do we see in the placement of je- welry and other valuable objects in the tomb from the excavation in the Byzantine cemetery and why?
MT: The Byzantine cemetery also excavated was dated to the 12th and 13th centuries AD. This was established on top of the ruins of the Minoan palace and served a small community. They had the opportunity to acquire pottery from various parts of the Aegean but were not accompanied in their graves by any jewelry or coins. The only ornaments found were two iron buckles in a grave of a young woman.
SMCK: How was the project received by the locals? And especially by children?
MT: The Petras project from its outset was designed to include public outreach and educational programs, in collaboration with universities and the Siteia Municipality. Thus, a photogra- phy exhibition was organized in 1985 entitled “Siteia in Prehis- tory and in Antiquity” and, in 1993, there was an Open Day for visitors at the museum and the site, accompanied by public lectures, exhibitions at the Siteia Museum and guided tours. Since the early 1990s at least I have been planning to make
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Gold bead, ca 2200 BC.