Today marks the classes first week on Crete! It is hard to believe that we have been traveling the island for seven days. From the village of Zoros, we visited the Palace of Phaistos and the Minoan harbor at Kommos. Afterwards, we took a short snack break on the beach at Kommos and had a spectacular view of the Libyan Sea.

Following the break, the class heard the first group presentation by Rayah and Alexandra at the Kamilari Tholos Tomb. According to their research and findings, the Kamilari Tomb was built in the Middle Minoan IB period and was used all the way into the early MMIII period. One can tell that the tomb was from the Middle Minoan period because of its shape. Unlike the square shaped Late Minoan Tholos Tomb we had seen a few days before at Maleme, the Kamilari Tomb was circular and much rounder. In addition, we learned that since the first excavation in 1959 by the Italian Archaelogical Mission, archaeologists have found more MMIII period material at this site than any other period and have recovered 2,500 vases as well as 800 conical cups. One can tell that the tomb was used during the Middle Minoan period because of the shape of the tomb. Unlike the square shaped Late Minoan Tholos Tomb we had seen a few days before at Maleme, the Kamilari Tomb was definitely much rounder.

We also learned that the little red dots waxed on the corners of each stone left behind by archaeologists currently excavating the site. Professor Burns explained that they are used as markers for digital mapping for the drawing of the architecture of sites and something he has seen before on excavation sites he has worked on.

After seeing sites, Vivi took us to an olive oil factory where we watched olives being pressed and processed into olive oil.
First, they go up the chute where the leaves are separated from the olives

Then they are crushed and smashed in a machine. Afterwards the pits and oil are separated with the olive oil then packaged to be sold

While the pits and skin are processed outside and made into fuel. According to Professor Burns, Cretans have been using this as a source if fuel since ancient times! It was neat to see this tradition in person.

In addition to exploring excavation sites, at lunch today we were able to hear another account about Cretan identity. Since the beginning of the course, we have previously heard two other perspectives: one by the tour guide on the first day who argued that most identify as Greek and the second by the secretary at the Etz Hayyim Synagogue who argued that most people on the island identity as Cretan. Vivi explained that 90% of the islanders identify as a Cretan rather than Greek. She also told us Cretans share a lot of traditions and commonalities with the people of northern Greece and that Cretans consider Thessaloniki as their “brother city” despite the fact that the two do not trade or really interact with each other often. Cashman later told the class that this could be because the two regions of Greece were both occupied by the Turks at the same time.

Tomorrow we will travel to Heraklion. Can’t wait!