The faience finds of the Idaean Cave

Kyriakos Psaroudakis Athenische Mitteilungen 127/128 (2012/2013) [2015]: 91-142

Abstract

The faience finds of the Idaean Cave compose a homogenous and interesting group amongst the votives that have been discovered in the sanctuary. Most of them are imported, mainly from Phoenicia and the wider Levantine region, and a lesser quantity from Egypt. A third, smaller group of finds consists of artifacts of Greek inspiration and execution. From a symbolic point of view, the figurines depicting Egyptian deities contribute to the better understanding of the complex nature of the cult which took place in the sanctuary, as well as to its eastern-Egyptian influence. As regards their dating, the objects unearthed in the Idaean Cave are similar to the rest of the orientalia. Some date back to the Dark Ages, however, most of them date from the Geometric – Orientalizing period until the late 7th century B.C. In terms of technology, the discovery of faience / glass waste is noteworthy, as it also makes possible the existence of a workhouse near the sanctuary.