;68 REPLICA OF OFFICIAL SEAL-TYPE FROM ZAKRO

Fig. 499. Seal-impression from Zakro showing
Replica of Design on Knossos Signet.

of the field part of a smaller female figure, doubtless one of the pair of child
attendants—the Aido-xovpai referred to above—who are often grouped with
the Minoan Goddess. The rocks along the upper margin, like the rocky
peak with its lion guardians, upon which the Goddess stands on a series

of signet impressions from the
Central Palace Shrine,1 take us
away from the Palace itself for
the site of the Sanctuary repre-
sented. It seems, indeed, highly
probable that in both cases we
have to do with one and the
same sanctuary of which the
traces are still visible on the
limestone ridge of Juktas.2 This
would have been the natural
goal of periodical pilgrim depu-
tations organized by the Priest-
Kincrs of Knossos, and, as suggested above, the ceremonial processions

connected with these would have in all
probability passed along the Corridor
with which we are at present concerned
on their way to or from the Central Court.
The scene itself is sacramental, and
the signet from which the clay impressions
were taken seems to have been in use
for a considerable period of years, since
several specimens were found associated
with a hoard of tablets with inscriptions
of the Linear Class B belonging to the
closing epoch of the Palace.3 The mat-
rix, however, was found in the underlying
deposit, which could not be later than
L. M. I. As fixing the date of the signet, it is of great interest, more-
over, to observe that a replica of this type occurs among the sealings

Fig. 500. Seal-impression from
Hagia Triada.

' See below, p. 809.

2 P. of J/., i, p. 154 seqq.

3 In a deposit fallen irregularly from above
into the Lower E.-W. Corridor. Of the early
L. M. I date of the signet-type itself there can

be no doubt. The fashion of dress, the recur-
rence of similar types at Zakro and Hagia
Triada, and the stratum in which the clay
matrix was found, supply conclusive evidence
as to this.