John Sheldon's photos with the keyword: Archaeology

The members of a tour are dwarfed by the ruins of the seating area in the amphitheatre of the Island of Delos, in the Aegean Sea. Delos was an immensely important religious centre 2500 years ago, and for hundreds of years before and after that time. There was an annual trip by ship from Athens for people who were ritually purified. The Ship probably had white sails as well as oars and was decorated with flowers. Once a floating island in mythology, it was anchored and became protected by the other islands that now circle it, the Cyclades. Delos was the birthplace of Apollo and his sister Artemis who, being born fully formed, assisted in her brother's birth.

The Knossos Palace remains are sited just south of modern day Heraklion in Crete. It was the centre of the Minoan civilisation and in mythology was the residence of King Minos. It is noted for its use of luxury materials, complex 'labyrinthine' architectural plan, advanced building techniques (including measures against earthquake damage and drainage that still works) and impressive size. These are remains of the second palace on the site, which lasted from about 1700 to 1350 BCE. The 'North Propylaeum' is the North Entrance to the Palace and it is located at the end of the road from the harbour.

The Throne Room at Knossos Palace is popularly thought to have been the place where the kings of the Minoan civilisation sat in state. It could equally have been a room dedicated to religious purposes, perhaps the main shrine in the Palace. This might explain the low ceiling and sense of mystery. The throne would have been where or a priestess representing the deity sat. (Minoan religion appears to have been founded on a mother goddess figure.) The Knossos Palace remains are sited just south of modern day Heraklion in Crete. It was the centre of the Minoan civilisation and in mythology was the residence of King Minos. These are remains of the second palace on the site, which lasted from about 1700 to 1350 BCE.

The Knossos Palace remains are sited just south of modern day Heraklion in Crete. It was the centre of the Minoan civilisation and in mythology was the residence of King Minos. It is noted for its use of luxury materials, complex 'labyrinthine' architectural plan, advanced building techniques (including measures against earthquake damage and drainage that still works) and impressive size. These are remains of the second palace on the site, which lasted from about 1700 to 1350 BCE. The Grand Staircase is in the east wing of the Palace. It was once thought to have led down stairs to the royal apartments, but recent opinion holds that the rooms below would have been too gloomy for royal occupation. There are 54 stairs, remarkably well preserved.

The Knossos Palace remains are sited just south of modern day Heraklion in Crete. It was the centre of the Minoan civilisation and in mythology was the residence of King Minos. These are remains of the second palace on the site, which lasted from about 1700 to 1350 BCE. This ramp lies at the end of the road from the sea. Its narrowness is believed to be for security reasons. The rest of the site does not suggest that smallness was important to Minoan architects.

This is one of the oldest and best preserved ancient roads in Europe. It originally ran from the sea, through the town, to the Palace. The Knossos Palace remains are sited just south of modern day Heraklion in Crete. It was the centre of the Minoan civilisation and in mythology was the residence of King Minos. These are remains of the second palace on the site, which lasted from about 1700 to 1350 BCE.

The island of Delos, near the centre of the Cyclades archipelago, is one of the most important mythological, historical, and archaeological sites in Greece. The island is dry with poor soil and it would have been of no interest to anyone had it not been for its position as a holy sanctuary. When Greek mythology formulated the story of Apollo and Artemis in the first millennium BCE Delos was made their birthplace, although the island had been a holy site long before that. In the Homeric Hymn to Delian Apollo the Titaness Leto says: "Delos, if you would be willing to be the abode of my son Phoebus Apollo and make him a rich temple – for no other will touch you, as you will find: and I think you will never be rich in oxen and sheep, nor bear vintage nor yet produce plants abundantly. But if you have the temple of far-shooting Apollo, all men will bring you hecatombs and gather here, and incessant savour of rich sacrifice will always arise, and you will feed those who dwell in you from the hand of strangers; for truly your own soil is not rich." In later times the island became a very important and wealthy trading centre and surprisingly well populated given its scant natural resources; but by the 1st century BCE trade routes had changed and the island became uninhabited. It is still uninhabited today apart from visiting archaeologists and researchers - and of course tourists.

The island of Delos, near the centre of the Cyclades archipelago, is one of the most important mythological, historical, and archaeological sites in Greece. When Greek mythology formulated the story of Apollo and Artemis in the first millennium BCE Delos was made their birthplace, although the island had been a holy site long before that. In later times the island became a very important and wealthy trading centre and surprisingly well populated given its scant natural resources; but by the 1st century BCE trade routes had changed and the island became uninhabited. It is still uninhabited today apart from visiting archaeologists and researchers.

A marble altar in the ruins of Delos is reflecting the sunlight. This is fitting as Delos is the mythical birthplace of the Greek sun god Apollo (and his sister goddess Artemis). My attribution of this particular altar as dedicated to Apollo is speculative. Why let fact get in the way of a good story?

The island of Delos, near the centre of the Cyclades archipelago, is one of the most important mythological, historical, and archaeological sites in Greece. When Greek mythology formulated the story of Apollo and Artemis in the first millennium BCE Delos was made their birthplace, although the island had been a holy site long before that. In later times the island became a very important and wealthy trading centre and surprisingly well populated given its scant natural resources; but by the 1st century BCE trade routes had changed and the island became uninhabited. It is still uninhabited today apart from visiting archaeologists and researchers.

These statues are exact replicas of the originals. The originals can be seen nearby in the Delos Archaeological Museum. The island of Delos, near the centre of the Cyclades archipelago, is one of the most important mythological, historical, and archaeological sites in Greece. When Greek mythology formulated the story of Apollo and Artemis in the first millennium BCE Delos was made their birthplace, although the island had been a holy site long before that. In later times the island became a very important and wealthy trading centre and surprisingly well populated given its scant natural resources; but by the 1st century BCE trade routes had changed and the island became uninhabited. It is still uninhabited today apart from visiting archaeologists and researchers.

The island of Delos, near the centre of the Cyclades archipelago, is one of the most important mythological, historical, and archaeological sites in Greece. The island is dry with poor soil and it would have been of no interest to anyone had it not been for its position as a holy sanctuary. When Greek mythology formulated the story of Apollo and Artemis in the first millennium BCE Delos was made their birthplace, although the island has been a holy site long before that. In the Homeric Hymn to Delian Apollo the Titaness Leto says: "Delos, if you would be willing to be the abode of my son Phoebus Apollo and make him a rich temple – for no other will touch you, as you will find: and I think you will never be rich in oxen and sheep, nor bear vintage nor yet produce plants abundantly. But if you have the temple of far-shooting Apollo, all men will bring you hecatombs and gather here, and incessant savour of rich sacrifice will always arise, and you will feed those who dwell in you from the hand of strangers; for truly your own soil is not rich." In later times the island became a very important and wealthy trading centre and surprisingly well populated given its scant natural resources; but by the 1st century BCE trade routes had changed and the island became uninhabited. It is still uninhabited today apart from visiting archaeologists and researchers.