Zakro

Site of a Minoan palace in eastern Crete. Unlike many of the other Minoan palaces, Zakro did not have a Middle Minoan phase, but was constructed in the Late Minoan period after 1700 BC. The palace was relatively small but had the usual plan grouped around a central court. Among the finds were a collection of fine stone vessels and tablets in Linear A. Zakro was destroyed by fire c 1450 BC.

Minoan palace in eastern Crete. Unlike many of the other Minoan palaces, Zakro did not have a Middle Minoan phase, but was constructed in the Late Minoan period after 1700 bc. The palace was relatively small but had the usual plan, with living quarters, public rooms and storage areas grouped around a central court. Among the finds were a collection of fine stone vessels, of porphyry, alabaster and basalt; tablets inscribed in Linear A were found in the Archive Room. Associated with the palace is a terraced town with narrow streets, similar to Gournia. The site was destroyed in the mid-15th century bc by the eruption of Thera, which covered the eastern end of Crete with volcanic ash. It was not rebuilt.