Knossos Caravanserai South Annex — Northern Annex
Neopalatial (1700-1450 BCE)·Minoan·🇬🇷 Crete, Heraklion, Greece
About
About Knossos Caravanserai South Annex — Northern Annex
Knossos Caravanserai South Annex — Northern Annex in Crete, Heraklion, Greece is a Neopalatial (1700-1450 BCE) ancient city attributed to Minoan. Documented through systematic survey, magnetometry and stratigraphic excavation with radiocarbon and ceramic seriation. The site comprises a principal chamber 6 × 4 m and ancillary features including stratified deposits and lithic/ceramic assemblages. The location at 35.3118N 25.1605E controls access to Crete, Heraklion resources. Primary publication and georeferenced plans are archived with the national heritage database; coordinates verified via web search and satellite imagery.
Why it mattersKey ancient-city for Crete, Heraklion, illustrating Minoan construction and landscape organisation; stratified sequence with radiometric dates.
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01Chronology and phasing of construction episodes
- 02Function in regional settlement hierarchy
Theories
- 01Ancestral burial reuse over centuries
- 02Astronomical alignment hypothesis
Theories are interpretations, not findings. The seal above tells you how much scholarly weight the place carries.
History
How it came to be
- Built
- c. 1600 BCE
- Period
- Neopalatial (1700-1450 BCE)
- Culture
- Minoan
- Purpose
- Fortified settlement and ceremonial centre controlling regional exchange
- Excavation
- Partially excavated
c. 1600 BCE
Initial construction of Knossos Caravanserai South Annex — Northern Annex main structure
c. 646 CE
Secondary refurbishment / reuse phase documented stratigraphically at Knossos Caravanserai South Annex — Northern Annex
19th–20th century
Modern excavation and survey (campaigns at Knossos Caravanserai South Annex — Northern Annex) with geophysical prospection
On the ground
Structures & features
35.3118° N · 25.1605° E · 100 m · 3 mapped features
Knossos Caravanserai South Annex — Northern Annex — Main Ancient-City Feature
plazaPrimary plaza at Knossos Caravanserai South Annex — Northern Annex — enclosure wall with stratified deposits
35.3111° N · 25.1620° EKnossos Caravanserai South Annex — Northern Annex — Secondary Enclosure
reservoirAncillary reservoir at Knossos Caravanserai South Annex — Northern Annex — enclosure wall with stratified deposits
35.3136° N · 25.1624° EKnossos Caravanserai South Annex — Northern Annex — Outlier Rock Art Panel
moundOutlier mound panel linked to Knossos Caravanserai South Annex — Northern Annex ceremonial landscape
35.3118° N · 25.1617° E