The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-11-18
rabyrintb Of the nlinotaur.
Remarkable Discovery the Island Of Crete-Ogina OF the
Famous Maze From Which Ariadne
Rescued Theseus-
- HE greatest surprise In the history Of
archaeological research has been

- HE greatest surprise In the history OF
archaeological research has been
sprung by the discovery on the ISL
and OF Crete OF the actual original
OF the labyrinth OF the famous Minotaur.
Hitherto II has been taken for>granted by
students OF classical antiquity that the IA
nous MAGE. with which one Of the most
fascinating OF oid-time stories IL assoc
ciated. was a myth pure and simple and
nothing could be better calculated to as
tonish Investigators In this line than md
Ing that II really exlsted-ray, more--that
its ruins are atili preserved IN large part.
Workmen are az present busily engaged
In excavating the site. and already some
very remarkable things have been UNI
carthed.
The labyrinth as IL now known for the
first time. was part Of the palace OF King
Minos OF Crete This celebrated monarch
was the first great maritime ruler IN the
Mediterranean. maintaining a powerful
sthaiassocracy." The island on which his
capital was situated was small, but his
arm was long and stretched out over all
the Aegean sea TO the coast OF Northern
Africa. and even to the waters far west
Of fruitful Sicily. Athens and other minor
states offered him homage ara paid him
tribute. Ills royal dwelling az lSnossos.
as proved by tho recent excavations was
by far the largest building al that time
existing in Europe, the contemporary pal
aces OF Myccnae and Tiryns. on the main
land of Greece. shrinking into relative
insignincancs when compared with &.
The great palace was known as the
House or the Labrys, or double headed
AK this being the emblem OF the Cretaa
zcus. which Is found carved everywhere
about the building, ON stone blocks and
pillars particularly 60 show that tho
structure WAS dedicated 10 the chief OF
the gods. Hence Il Is apparen, from What
source the word labyrinth was derived:
a was the maze OF the iabryg Two acres
of the ruins have been uncovered thus
far, disclosing enough, however. to az
ford some Indication Of the vast size Of
the place. There arc paved courts. inn
psessive colwnaued VeStihules and spaci.
Gus corridors, while Ia the miadie Is The
council chamber % Minas and the other
ancient kings Who In turn occupied the
palace. with a throne most curlousiy
carved out 81 gypsum
Around the whole structure, tnelosInr
both building and courts. seems 10 have
run the lahygsRth-sa maze 81 rooms and
passages shut between an inner wan and
an outer wall, The whole arair Is IN
such ruiaed state that much has 10 be
guessed at. bat 81 f. apparent that the
lower parts cf she walls. at least were
composed ~ huge blocks ~ gypsum.
just when the building Was destroyed
cannot we NcttfAAn~9 WIZ accuracy, NNs
Il was certainly earlier than the year lsa
II. G. In some OF the rooms immense guam
titles of written documents were found
81 the shape ~ Inscribed tablets OF baksa
clay, and Il has been decided by the
Archaeol0sists THAI noEe ~ these ls as
recent as the date mensioned. some or
them ara deeds, while others are eplsta-
larry communication. and others set aeh
books OF accounts. referring 20 the ROYAL
xtores aud arseEals with mention ~ gold
sna sases In tbs kings treasury.
On some or tho walls are found fgca-
Goes which ara almost as brilliant as
when thsy were execmaod. thirty-fiVa
centuries or 80 ago. They seord a rev.
citation % ancient painuaE. nothing nka
sssia having been seen hitherto. Entirelg
new In thu ART o. antiquity arg the sroupa
~ ladies In fashicuASle. though some
what decolietc. attire. seated ia animated
conversation Apparently tho artist has
intended 20 rwpTeaen; them "a thus oe-
cupsed In the halls and balconies Of tina
palace ITSELF There are decorative de-
signs Of fabulous animals. such "a grif-
nRs cod sshinxes. which show the irru-