Phourni (also Fourni) is the archaeological site of an ancient Minoan cemetery in Crete. Phourni is Greek for "oven" and the name of the hill on which the cemetery is located.

Geography

Phourni can be seen from Mount Juktas.

Archaeology

Excavations began at Phourni in 1964 by Efi and John Sakellarakis and have continued until at least 1995.

The cemetary at Phourni was in used from Early Minoan II to Late Minion IIIC - over one thousand years!

A tholos tomb first discovered in 1965 dates to 14th century BC and shares a ground plan with tholos tombs at Mycenae and Orchomenos.

Finds include a dismembered corpse of a horse, a bull's skull, a gold ring from a burial with a cultic scene engraved on it, knives, lead weights from a scale, 46 loom weights, a wine press, a libation table, bell-shaped figurines, approximately 250 cups, an ossuary, Early Minoan II seals, a pillar crypt and two women of almost certain royal or religious importance due to the wealth of objects and kind of sacrifices made to the chambers.

Multiple buildings and tombs have been excavated at Phourni.

Reference

Swindale, Ian http://www.uk.digiserve.com/mentor/minoan/phourni.htm Retrieved 4 February 2006

Further Reading

Sakellarakis, J. and E. Crete, Archanes ISBN 960-213-234-5 (Guidebook)

Minoan Crete Map

Links

http://www.uk.digiserve.com/mentor/minoan/phourni.htm