Ομάδα ειδωλίων από το Σπήλαιο του Μελιδονίου

Abstract

A group of figurines from the Melidoni Cave. In this paper a group of five clay figurines from Melidoni Cave, at Rethymno, Crete, is examined. The earliest example is a male figurine (figurine 1) that can be dated in MMIII/LMIA period. Three figurines (figurines 2, 3 and 4) are dated to the Subminoan period. Figurine 2 belongs to the type of the goddess with the raised hands, but because of the find-spot it must be considered as a dedication and not as a cult idol. Figurines 3 and 4 belong to the type of the figurines that bear both arms at the flanks of the body. The type was considered to be an eighth century B.C. loan from the Eastern iconography, but this view must be reconsidered. Figurine 5 is preserved in a fragmentary condition and shows a standing woman that reproduces the pudency gesture. It is dated to the Protogeometric period. With respect to the information drawn from this group of figurines concerning the nature of the worshipped deity or deities, it seems that the female figurines were dedicated by women to a female fertility deity. The existence of the phallus-like stalactite in the Raulin Hall, where all the figurines were found, might indicate a male deity. In that case one might assume that both male and female deities were worshipped, for instance, the well-known couple of Aphrodite and Hermes from the sanctuary of Symi Viannou.