Civil Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
h e form of the Hypogæum as shown in the drawing published by Evans (h e
Palace of Minos I, pp. 103-06; Bell “Prehellenic Architecture in the Aegæan,”
London, 1926, p. 31) is a very large domical chamber (maximum diameter ca 10
m, height ca 16 m) drawn as a perfectly regular geometrical form in both plan
(circular) and section (an ellipse truncated at the base). h is is shown as entirely
rock cut with its peak a metre or two below the surface of the rock. However
super added to this chamber is a winding stairway cut into the rock enveloping
a quadrant of the chamber plan. h is stairway descends from 2-3 m below the
peak to give access to the l oor of the chamber. h ese winding rock cut steps were
not cut as a lateral extension of the chamber—i.e. the steps are not internal steps.
h e stairway was an external stairway separated form the chamber by a rock wall
ca 1 m or so thick. However the partition was pierced by a series of 6 apertures
af ording intercommunication between the stairs and the chamber. Entrance from
the surface to this winding stairway is shown as a horizontal passage (a “dromos”,
ca 20 m long) cut into a vertical face of the bedrock. As drawn, this assemblage
is amazing to impossible, i.e. impossible to fashion. h erefore before speaking of
the function of the Hypogæum, it is necessary to consider its fashioning, about
which, hitherto, nothing has been said.
In the i rst instance it is necessary to remember that, in principle, rock can only
be cut (excavated) from above downwards. h us if the chamber was entirely rock
cut (as shown), initial access to begin the work could only have been gained via the
winding stairs through the highest interconnecting aperture. h is is such an improb-
able scenario, that it is to be presumed that the chamber was cut down vertically
from the surface; and at least its summit was enclosed by a built rubble dome (this
appears to be shown in the Evans photograph published for the i rst time by Belli).
Next if indeed the stepped passage was cut in the rock separately and outside the
chamber but closely enwraps it, then to control its cutting would be a taxing job
for a modern mining surveyor. Finally it must be noted that Evans' drawings do
not distinguish surviving remains for restoration of destroyed remains.
With this as a background, it can be said that proceeding on comparative evi-
dence, the most likely function of the Hypogæum at Knossos was a completely or
largely subterranean granary.
h e oldest known granaries are those found in PPNA round house villages.
h ese take the form of the round dwellings—i.e. they are semi sunken and are to
be distinguished from the house by their smaller size (e.g. diameter ca 2 m) and
by their taller, steeper proi le. h e virtue of sunken or semi-sunken grain storage
was such that this tall, conical form survived across the ages to become a standard
form of built silo in later antiquity, and is frequently represented in ancient graphic
art—e.g. Egyptian mural painting and in Assyrian wall reliefs. h is form is an 'al
fresco' version of the Knossos Hypogæum. However there are no surviving remains
Evans'
Hypo-
gaeum at
Knossos
