Minoan/Mycenaean

Ivory Figurine – Ivory Triad

Find spot: Mycenae; north slope of the Acropolis, close to the megaronDate: 15th-14th c. BCClothing depicted: heanos, wrap skirt, assorted jewelry, estheta (shawl)Museum link: National Archaeological MuseumCollection of Prehistoric Antiquities, inv. no. Π7711 https://www.namuseum.gr/en/monthly_artefact/terms-of-endearment/ Ivory figurine representing two seated, bare-breasted female deities and a child leaning on their knees, the so called “ivory triad”. One cloak covers both women. A masterpiece of mycenaean art. From…

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Minoan/Mycenaean

Fresco – Mycenaean Procession of Female Worshippers

Find spot: Thebes, Greece, Kadmeia, Palace of ThebesDate: LH III A period, 1400-1300 BCClothing depicted: heanos, wrap skirt, assorted jewelry, fillet, hat (?)Museum link: Archaeological Museum of Thebes https://www.mthv.gr/en/permanent-exhibition/mycenaean-period/ “The Theban fresco was originally 14 meters long, consisting of three zones: 1. a decorative band in the upper part, 2. the main composition, known as the Procession of Female Worshipers, in the middle,…

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Minoan/Mycenaean

Fresco – Dancing Lady

Find spot: Crete, Knossos, palace, Queen’s MegaronDate: 1450-1375 BCEClothing depicted: short-sleeved bodice (probably heanos), a diaphanous chemise, sacred knot, probably wrap skirtMuseum link: https://ca.heraklionmuseum.gr/ca/pawtucket/index.php/Detail/objects/394 Museum quote: The fresco was found fallen on the south side of the east lightwell of the Queen’s Megaron. The reconstruction of the fresco on a pillar of the Megaron is Evans’ hypothesis. He identified the…

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Minoan/Mycenaean

“Boobies teeheehee”

Okay. So I’m not quite done reading Ariadne’s Threads (the book about the evolution of Minoan** clothing 2700 – 1500 BCE) but I have gotten far enough in it to feel confident that my initial theory about Minoan’s women’s garments (theory nicknamed “Boobies teeheehee”) was wrong. Sir Arthur Evans, a British archaeologist (1851–1941), is credited with discovering the frescoes on…

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