Minoan Snake Goddess Figurines

The most famous of these figurines were discovered by British archaeologist Sir Arthur Evans in 1903 at the palace complex of Knossos on the island of Crete. They date back to the Neopalatial period of Minoan civilization, around 1600 BC.

The prominent Knossos figurines are made of faience, which is an early type of glazed ceramic material. This technique demonstrates the advanced craftsmanship and trade networks of the Bronze Age Minoan society.

While the exact meaning is debated by historians, snakes were often associated with the underworld, healing, or the household in Minoan religion. The goddess holding them suggests a powerful role in nature or as a protective deity.

The famous figurines were found shattered, and several pieces, including parts of the heads and hats, were heavily restored by Evans's team. Some modern archaeologists argue that certain elements of the reconstruction may have been speculative.