The Phaistos Disc

The Phaistos Disc (also spelled Phaistos Disk, Phaestos Disc) is a disk of fired clay from the Minoan palace of Phaistos on the island of Crete, possibly dating to the middle or late Minoan Bronze Age (second millennium B.C.). The disk is about 15 cm (5.9 in) in diameter and covered on both sides with a spiral of stamped symbols. Its purpose and meaning, and even its original geographical place of manufacture, remain disputed, making it one of the most famous mysteries of archaeology. This unique object is now on display at the archaeological museum of Heraklion.

The Minoan Frescoes

Fresco painting was one of the most important forms of Minoan art. Unfortunately, many of the surviving examples are fragmentary. The walls of the great halls of the palaces and houses of Crete were skilfully decorated with frescoes. The paint was applied swiftly while the wall plaster was still wet, so that the colours would be completely absorbed and would not fade. The Minoans followed the Egyptian convention regarding colours (e.g. red for men’s flesh, white for women’s flesh, yellow for gold, blue for silver, and red for bronze).

The frescoe of the Prince of the Lilies

The Fresco of the dolphins

The Bull-leaping frescoe

Other important exhibits

The Snake Godess

Bull’s head rhyton

Let’s visit the museum!