322 REPORT—1904. 
APPENDIX. 
Excavations at Knossos, Crete, 1904. By Dr. ArrHur J. Evans. 
The campaign of 1904 at Knossos had a threefold objective :—(1) the 
continued exploration of the lower strata of the palace itself; (2) the 
further investigation of dependencies lying beyond what may be called 
the inner enceinte ; and (3) the search for the tombs. 
(1) The researches within the palace area have been very extensive. 
Methodical explorations of the strata below the later floor levels have 
thrown much light on the earlier history of the site. A variety of new 
data have been acquired for distinguishing the first and second periods 
of the later palace, and fresh light has been thrown on constructions 
belonging to an earlier palace. The evidence of an earlier front to the 
west of the Central Court has become clear. New stone repositories have 
come to light and the original doorways of the West Magazines. In the 
north-west quarter further deep-walled pits have been opened out. A 
very important section has been cut below the pavement of the West 
Court revealing a succession of Middle or Early Mindan floor-levels, 
together with their characteristic ceramic relics. Below this, again, some 
seven metres of Neolithic layers were explored. 
In some cists of the West Magazine were found fragments of wall 
paintings that had adorned an upper hall on this side. Portions of a 
pillar shrine were represented on these, showing fetish double axes stuck 
into the columns. Other fragments referred to scenes of the bull-ring 
and crowds of spectators. A great analogy is thus presented to the 
‘miniature’ frescoes found in 1900. 
In the north-east part of the site some of the great pithoi belonging 
to a magazine of the earlier palace have been built up. These are larger 
than any vessels of the kind yet discovered, attaining a height of over 
two metres. The magazines have been roofed over for their preservation. 
(2) A Minéan roadway paved with fine slabs has been traced running 
westwards from the Theatral Area for a distance of over 200 metres. The 
work here has been very severe, as the pavement lay at a depth of nearly 
twenty feet below the surface, and involved the clearing away of a mass 
of later structures of no account. Pits sunk to the north of this line, 
moreover, revealed the existence of important Minéan buildings, and in 
order to make a preliminary exploration of these a wide cutting had to be 
carried out in this direction. The traces of important structures have 
been thus brought to light, which derive extraordinary interest from their 
associations. A rich deposit of inscribed clay tablets was here found 
referring to the royal chariots and weapons. Near one of these, mention- 
ing a store of 8,640 arrows, were found the remains of two officially 
sealed chests containing a large number of carbonised arrows with small 
bronze heads. It is possible, therefore, that the structures form part of 
the royal arsenal. At this point, owing to the difficulty and expense of 
the work, and the advance of the season, the excavation had to be broken 
up. It is most necessary, however, that this promising area, extending 
along the newly discovered roadway, should be fully explored. Owing to 
the vast mass of earth to be removed a Décauville railway will be 
probably necessary. 
(3) On a hill about a mile north of the palace a considerable cemetery 
