M.M. II: HIEROGLYPHIC DEPOSIT : SEALINGS & SEALS 27,

animal forms above (r).1 This delight in rocky scenery, equally visible in the Natura-
Saffron-gatherer fresco, continued to be a characteristic of Minoan art in the q^1"
succeeding M. M. Ill Period. In d we recognize a Cretan wild-goat, while Engrav-
e shows an interesting design of an infant beneath a horned sheep or
moufflon, suggestive of some variant version of the nurture of the 1 Cretan
Zeus '. Above is a spear- or oar-like object. The reticulated work seen
here in the background is simply a decorative feature common on gems of
this Period and which often occurs in connexion with hieroglyphic signs
(see Fig. 207, e,g, and h r).

d b e

Fig. 202. Gem Impressions on Clay Sealings from 'Hieroglyphic Deposit',

Knossos : M. M. II b. (f)

As has been already observed, a great change in the material of seal- Harder

stones is visible at this epoch. In place of soft materials like steatite and now

ivory, hard stones such as cornelian, amethyst, rock crystal, and jasper are now Used<
successfully attacked, though steatite seals are still occasionally found.

The impressions on the clay sealings from the Hieroglyphic Deposit Forms of

themselves give a clue to the forms of many of these M. M. II seals. Some of Seals and

the finest were evidently taken from perforated lentoids of a type already Gems-
known in soft stone, and which became so prevalent in the succeeding Minoan
Periods. On the clay sealing, Fig. 203, from this Deposit, is seen the im-

1 A. J. E., Knossos, Report, 1900 (B. S. A., vi), p. 6