Knossos Caravanserai South Annex — Southern Extension
Neopalatial (1700-1450 BCE)·Minoan·🇬🇷 Crete, Heraklion, Greece
About
About Knossos Caravanserai South Annex — Southern Extension
Knossos Caravanserai South Annex — Southern Extension 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 platform 7 × 5 m and ancillary features including stratified deposits and lithic/ceramic assemblages. The location at 35.2840N 25.1622E 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
- 01Nature of burial rites and population
- 02Landscape function
Theories
- 01Ceremonial centre for dispersed community
- 02Territorial marker controlling resources
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
- Partially excavated
c. 1600 BCE
Initial construction of Knossos Caravanserai South Annex — Southern Extension main structure
c. 1326 BCE
Secondary refurbishment / reuse phase documented stratigraphically at Knossos Caravanserai South Annex — Southern Extension
19th–20th century
Modern excavation and survey (campaigns at Knossos Caravanserai South Annex — Southern Extension) with geophysical prospection
On the ground
Structures & features
35.2840° N · 25.1622° E · 93 m · 4 mapped features
- Knossos Caravanserai South Annex — Southern Extension — Main Ancient-City FeaturereservoirPrimary reservoir at Knossos Caravanserai South Annex — Southern Extension — platform mound with stratified deposits35.2828° N · 25.1612° E
- Knossos Caravanserai South Annex — Southern Extension — Secondary EnclosuremoundAncillary mound at Knossos Caravanserai South Annex — Southern Extension — rock-cut facade with stratified deposits35.2833° N · 25.1625° E
- Knossos Caravanserai South Annex — Southern Extension — Outlier Rock Art PaneldromosOutlier dromos panel linked to Knossos Caravanserai South Annex — Southern Extension ceremonial landscape35.2854° N · 25.1630° E
- Knossos Caravanserai South Annex — Southern Extension — Hydraulic/Cistern AnnexstructureHydraulic feature — cistern/reservoir at Knossos Caravanserai South Annex — Southern Extension with plastered basin35.2848° N · 25.1614° E
Gallery