April 09, 2005
April 8 Photos: Ben
Professor Rutter explains the graves at Ayia Photia to the group. The graves have become worn down because they have been exposed to the elements.
Archaeologists at work: Neha, Jackie and Katherine sketch a plan of Ayia Photia- Kouphota.
The group examines the remains of the fortification wall of Ayia Photia- Kouphota. Minoan sites rarely have such walls, and the large semicircular collection of rocks that the group is walking around appears to be a base for a defense tower.
A well-preserved double axe mason’s mark found at Petras (apologies for the lack of scale).
A visit to Petras became more exciting after Yiannis Papadatos showed the group his current excavation. Note the column base in the lower right corner of the trench.
The most famous object in the Siteia Museum, the statuette made of hippopotamus ivory from Palaikastro.
A tablet with Linear A and hieroglyphic inscriptions from the Siteia Museum.
Sixty degrees and snow-capped mountains: a view from a place at which the grouped stopped before embarking on the journey to Karphi.
Professor Rutter rallies the troops before the hike.
An immaculate view of the surrounding hills on the way to Karphi. The group traveled on winding roads like the one in the middle of the picture off in the distance.
The set of “Lord of the Rings?” No, just the foothills beneath Karphi.
The view from the top definitely made the long hike worth it.
The current state of the settlement of Karphi. It is hard to imagine the dangers that forced people to live in such a secluded location.
Remains of a wall at Karphi.
Nothing like a cold natural mountain spring to quench your thirst after a long day. Abby finds out firsthand.