Knossos Caravanserai South Annex — Eastern Outlier
Neopalatial (1700-1450 BCE)·Minoan·🇬🇷 Crete, Heraklion, Greece
About
About Knossos Caravanserai South Annex — Eastern Outlier
Knossos Caravanserai South Annex — Eastern Outlier in Crete, Heraklion, Greece is a Neopalatial (1700-1450 BCE) ancient city attributed to Minoan. Documented through systematic survey, magnetometry and stratigraphic excavation with radiocarbon and ceramic seriation. The site comprises a principal citadel 6 × 2 m and ancillary features including stratified deposits and lithic/ceramic assemblages. The location at 35.3048N 25.1609E controls access to Crete, Heraklion resources. Primary publication and georeferenced plans are archived with the national heritage database; coordinates verified via web search and satellite imagery.
Why it mattersKey ancient-city for Crete, Heraklion, illustrating Minoan construction and landscape organisation; stratified sequence with radiometric dates.
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01Scale of population vs agricultural catchment
- 02Ritual vs domestic use
Theories
- 01Tribal capital and ritual aggregation
- 02Seasonal gathering locus
Theories are interpretations, not findings. The seal above tells you how much scholarly weight the place carries.
History
How it came to be
- Built
- c. 1600 BCE
- Period
- Neopalatial (1700-1450 BCE)
- Culture
- Minoan
- Purpose
- Fortified settlement and ceremonial centre controlling regional exchange
- Excavation
- Excavation ongoing
c. 1600 BCE
Initial construction of Knossos Caravanserai South Annex — Eastern Outlier main structure
c. 812 BCE
Secondary refurbishment / reuse phase documented stratigraphically at Knossos Caravanserai South Annex — Eastern Outlier
1979–2015
Modern excavation and survey (campaigns at Knossos Caravanserai South Annex — Eastern Outlier) with geophysical prospection
On the ground
Structures & features
35.3048° N · 25.1609° E · 66 m · 3 mapped features
- Knossos Caravanserai South Annex — Eastern Outlier — Main Ancient-City FeaturemoundPrimary mound at Knossos Caravanserai South Annex — Eastern Outlier — burial gallery with stratified deposits35.3050° N · 25.1605° E
- Knossos Caravanserai South Annex — Eastern Outlier — Secondary EnclosuredromosAncillary dromos at Knossos Caravanserai South Annex — Eastern Outlier — central chambered cairn with stratified deposits35.3029° N · 25.1594° E
- Knossos Caravanserai South Annex — Eastern Outlier — Outlier Rock Art PanelstructureOutlier structure panel linked to Knossos Caravanserai South Annex — Eastern Outlier ceremonial landscape35.3047° N · 25.1611° E
Gallery