著者

中澤 務

出版者

関西大学文化財保存修復研究拠点

雑誌

Semawy Menu

巻号頁・発行日

vol.1, pp.67-76, 2010-03-08

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Our images of the Mediterranean ancient civilizations were formed through the excavations and reseraches made by modern European countries. However, do these images reflect the ancient civilizations properly? In this paper, I take up the case of the excavation of "Palace of Konossos" by Sir Arthur Evans and reexamine the process of image-formation of this archaeological site. (1) Influence of Green Myth Evans had been deeply influenced by the Greek Myth of "the King Minos and the Labyrinthos". Evans believed that the building he found must be the King Minos' Labyrinthos (Fig.2). When he found a room in which a stone chair was installed, he concluded that this was the room of the king and named it "The Throne Room." He rehabilitated the room completely through many conjectures (fig.3). His interpretation of this building as the king's palace is uncertain. We must admit that this is the image made by Evans influenced by the Greek Myth. (2)Influence of Modern European Culture The Image-formation of the Minoan Culture was also influenced by the modern European culture. Europeans found that the aesthetic taste of ancient Minoans was similar to theirs (Fig.4,5). For example, they believed "Dolphin Fresco" in the "Queen's Megaron" as the manifestation of the love towards nature and formed a romantic image of the Minoan culture (Fig.6,7), but it is not certain whether such remains are manifestations of theis own naturalism. This seems to be the typical case of the image-formation problem. (3)Prince to the Lilies Evans reconstructed the notorious fresco "Prince of the Lilies" (Fig.9). Evans (and E. Gillieron) put together few remains of the fresco and favricated a clear image of the"Priest King." In fact, their reconstruction was dubious. Many scholars have tried to present a new reconstruction, but Evans' original image has been so influential that we cannot get rid of its power even today (Fig.10,11).