Knossos Caravanserai South Annex — Western Terrace
Neopalatial (1700-1450 BCE)·Minoan·🇬🇷 Crete, Heraklion, Greece
About
About Knossos Caravanserai South Annex — Western Terrace
Knossos Caravanserai South Annex — Western Terrace 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 4 × 6 m and ancillary features including stratified deposits and lithic/ceramic assemblages. The location at 35.2866N 25.1685E 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
- 01Construction labor organization
- 02Chronology and phasing
Theories
- 01Ancestral burial reuse over centuries
- 02Astronomical alignment hypothesis
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 — Western Terrace main structure
c. 541 CE
Secondary refurbishment / reuse phase documented stratigraphically at Knossos Caravanserai South Annex — Western Terrace
1968–2016
Modern excavation and survey (campaigns at Knossos Caravanserai South Annex — Western Terrace) with geophysical prospection
On the ground
Structures & features
35.2866° N · 25.1685° E · 97 m · 3 mapped features
- Knossos Caravanserai South Annex — Western Terrace — Main Ancient-City FeaturedromosPrimary dromos at Knossos Caravanserai South Annex — Western Terrace — platform mound with stratified deposits35.2847° N · 25.1701° E
- Knossos Caravanserai South Annex — Western Terrace — Secondary EnclosurestructureAncillary structure at Knossos Caravanserai South Annex — Western Terrace — enclosure wall with stratified deposits35.2858° N · 25.1670° E
- Knossos Caravanserai South Annex — Western Terrace — Outlier Rock Art PanelenclosureOutlier enclosure panel linked to Knossos Caravanserai South Annex — Western Terrace ceremonial landscape35.2853° N · 25.1701° E
Gallery