532

THE PALACE OF MINOS, ETC.

Analysis The material of this fine plaster proves, from the analysis of a number

Material °^ typical samples by Mr. Heaton, to have consisted of practically pure chalk
lime.1 As he points out,2 by using this material for the plaster of the
walls something was lost of the hardness and tenacity which the admixture
of alumina silicates had given to the earlier class. But the main object now
was, not so much the structural reinforcement of the walls, as to provide
a perfectly smooth surface for their painted decoration.

Fig. 388. Entrance Hall of Subterranean Quarry, Knossos,
with Square-Hewn Pillar supporting Roof.

pure The analysis of various specimens of this fine plaster brought out the

™m<r interesting fact that the limestone, by the burning of which this material was

Plaster. *=> _ 'J <=>

obtained, corresponded with that of the great subterranean quarry, the cave-
like mouth of which opens on the hill-side, at Hagia Irini, about 2 miles
above the site of the Palace.3 This quarry, with many branches and
Sub- labyrinthine turns and with vaults at intervals, supported by huge square cut
Quarry111 pi^ars (see Fig. 388), honeycombs the neighbouring range and finds another
whence exit in a defile beyond. Its vast scale shows the persistence with which the

obtained.

1 The content of carbonate of lime was 3 Heaton, R. I. B. A. Journ., xviii, p. 700,
found to vary from 90 to 94 per cent. Fig. 3, reproduced here as Fig. 388. He

2 R. I. B. A. Journ., xviii, p. 699. remarks that the composition of the plaster

is ' too closely similar to be accidenta '.