This is Minoan clay model of a house. Initially thought to be a child’s toy, it’s now seen as a construction model for a real house. Its architectural motifs are typical for the middle Minoan period when the palace complexes were at their height.
I love little expressions of specialization like this. The concept of a scale model is so intuitive to us, but at one point it must have been a cutting edge thought!
To me I just love seeing the hints of more typical/normal life in times long ago. Typically the things that survive are from the elites (palaces, castles, jewelry, decorative swords, etc). Those things are also amazing, but I love seen things from normal life. This, apparently, is like an architectural drawing. It’s practical for workers to use. It’s “Plebeian” if you will.
I wonder if it was made by a student as part of their studies, or a master to show a concept to a client? Regardless it’s a really fascinating look at what Minoans themselves thought a house should look like in a newly built state.
Hah. I was in that museum (Heraklion, NE Crete) not so long ago. It’s definitely worth a visit. Minoan culture is fascinating.
So jealous!
