In almost every local history or archaeological museum (no matter what city and country) you can find interesting exhibits that, at first glance, are unremarkable. Visitors, as a rule, admire only their appearance, appreciating the aesthetics, the beauty of ancient culture in such things.
But what if you stop near, at least, some of the exhibits and think about their purpose, manufacturing technology and even ease of use? By asking questions. Maybe there will be a different view on many familiar things of ancient cultures and civilizations?
I suggest looking at some interesting exhibits in the Archaeological Museum of Heraklion on the island of Crete:
The jug appears to be of quartzite alabaster. Because we used to call the plaster variety of this breed alabaster. And it is of two types. Quartzite has a "3" on the Mohs scale and is fragile for such items.
But how were these stone vessels made? Ceramics were not enough, did you need stone ones? The pattern is convex on their surface. This is not so easy to do even with modern engraving cutters. How about by hand with a bronze instrument? By the way, such a tool has never been seen in photographs in museums. And, after all, they must be found somewhere. Has anyone seen?
What metal are these spearheads made of (if they are spearheads)? Metallic gray. There is no patina and no oxides - it is neither bronze nor iron. Silver?
Promotional video:
Stone vessels are incredibly difficult to make! Even if it is not a solid breed, it still does not diminish the difficulty, because the risk of spoiling, breaking the vessel increases. How were the vessels in the background made? How did the master take out the rock inside through a narrow neck? How are the handles glued to the vessel?
Why were such unstable vessels needed in the second photo? They need high stands. The exhibits raise some questions.
Basalt vessel. Okay, ornament, but how did you make a cavity inside through a tiny neck in the form of a hole? Or is it a blank? Does not look like.
More stone dishes. Could it be that the Minoans knew the recipe for making quartzite alabaster as an artificial material, repeating natural? As the technology of whetstone marble that has survived to this day, which in appearance is also very similar to natural marble. Although based on gypsum and cement.
Why are such stuck together stone glasses made? Maybe this is a chemical dish?
Large vessel made of quartzite. Although its geometry is not perfect (you can see it even in the photograph), making something like this by hand now is a daily work for many months.
Allegedly ceramic dishes and products. It looks like glass. And was there glass at that time 2000 years BC? Or the dating of Minoan culture might be worth revising because of such artifacts? Or reconsider the capabilities of the ancients!
The highlight of the exhibit is the famous Feta disc and tablets with the Cretan Linear script, which, as they say, has not yet been deciphered. Etruscan is not read by historians and linguists, Cretan, it turns out, too! Egyptian hieroglyphs, with a clearly figurative understanding of each - they have phonetic! Maybe they don't want to translate, because Is there something that will change history?
The exposition has gold rings, the size of which surprises even ordinary visitors. They are too big for a modern person.
The theme of the giants who lived in the past. There is something to think about when you see such Labris' axes in the same museum:
There are small ones, and there are also huge ones. Historians claim that they were of cult significance. How else? Found the things of the Gods - so they became cult!
The ax is clearly not for humans. Everything that is incomprehensible to history is referred to as cults.
And one more interesting exhibit is the preserved copper saws. With their help, blocks were cut out and buildings and temples were built. They are suitable for limestone. One detail: they have teeth. Even after working on limestone, the teeth are grinded after a few blocks, because bronze is a soft metal. It turns out that the teeth were made on the canvas all the time? Than? And it takes much longer than cutting a stone.
Here's a virtual tour. Who was in this museum - add your impressions or observations in the comments.
Author: sibved