User:DrewDevine0/Minoan Snake Tube

Minoan Snake Tubes
Background:

Despite their name not all Minoan snake tubes feature snakes. Minoan snake tubes were originally named by Minoan archaeologist Arthur Evans. Evans discovered the snake tubes in 1901 and hypothesized that early Minoans worshipped a snake god or goddess based on only two tubes he had discovered. This theory has however received pushback from contemporary archaeologists who have discovered more tubes without the snakes. Later discoveries found the tubes in close proximity to statues of goddesses believed to have been worshipped by early Minoans.Dating snake tubes can be inexact but scholars like Peter Day estimate them to have been created around 1700 BC. Overall, the prevailing theory from scholars, such as Geraldine Gesell, has been that snake tubes played an important role in the construction and function of early Minoan shrines.

Minoan Religion: Due to a lack of evidence, archaeologists have been left with many unanswered questions on Minoan worship. Understanding ritual practice in Minoan Crete has been made particular by a lack of monumental temples. Despite this, archeologists note a large amount of ritual evidence in the form of natural sanctuaries and votives. Identifying gods and goddesses have proven rather difficult for scholars. The leading theory argues that the central figure in Minoan religion was a nature goddess. Scholars again find difficulty in determining if there is variety of goddesses. This is because figurines in the archaeological record are relatively plain and vary little in design. While, references to goddesses are most frequently found there is evidence of male figures depicted as gods in Minoan culture. However, scholars debate the importance of gods in Minoan worship.

           Shrines

           Ritual

Materials and Design: Minoan snake tubes are not uniformly made of one material I’ll discuss the different materials used to create the objects and how archaeologists can and have used similar forms of pottery to date some tubes.

Materials

           Geometric Designs

           Other Symbols

                       Bulls

                       Snakes

Birds

Agrimi

Horns of consecration occur

Dating Snake Tubes: As mentioned above pottery comparisons is generally used to give approximate dates. Section should also offer info on how archaeologist label Minoan finds as it’s hard to conceptualize what the LM1 period refers to for an average reader

Archaeological Sites: Snake Tubes have been found across Crete and have been found in sites from wide ranging time periods. This section will give a general overview of the main sanctuaries where snake tubes have been discovered and how they relate to the sanctuary as whole. I may include a map of Crete highlighting major snake tube site discoveries for an image here.

         

Use of Minoan Snake Tubes: Describe how experts believe the tubes were placed on either side of a goddess statue below a raised altar. How their placement could indicate ritual use for offerings

Rejected Theories: Most articles discredit arguments that the tubes themselves were                    idols or flowerpots. ( Don’t know if I should add this part could just make it confusing).