The Wanganui Chronicle SATURDAY, MAY 24, 1941. THE ISLE OF CRETE

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 85, Issue 120, 24 May 1941, Page 4

The Wanganui Chronicle SATURDAY, MAY 24, 1941. THE ISLE OF CRETE

"THE Isle of Crete, upon which the battle is now raging, is one 1 of those interesting outposts of Europe which touch lhe eastern world but do not become part, of it. Geographically, the island shuts in the Aegean Sea, st retelling out a friendly arm as though to protect the isles of Gtccec from tile hot winds of Africa. But in order to provide auothei. of those contradictions in which nature delights, Crete is more influenced by the cold winds which come down from the polar regions, sweeping across the Russian steppes and striking against the mountain ranges, keep them plentifully covered with snow. On the northern side of the island these winds strike with such force that they prevent the growth of trees on exposed faces. In the more sheltered districts and on the southern side of the island especially, exceedingly fertile plains and valleys, fruit trees, vines, tobacco and cotton flourish. This geographically isolated bastion of Europe must have been separated from its continental connection a long time ago, for the wild animals are few. The goat is of the same species as that found in the Caucasus and Mount Taurus and is distinct from the Ibex of the Alps, lhe moufflon is also a native and is said to be the ancestor of tin domestic sheep. The porcupine finds his home on the island, but no poisonous snake is to be found there. This immunity is ascribed by popular belief to Titus, the companion of St. Paul, who, according to tradition, was the first Bishop of the island, and became its patron saint. This prior precedent for the conduct of St. Patrick may be regarded as another injustice to Ireland.

By reason of its geographical position alone Crete was well placed to receive, or to be. influenced, by the cultures of Mesopotamia and of Egypt, and these influences made themselves felt at an early age. A bronze, age, called by Sir Arthur Evans, the Minoan, lias, through arclicologie.il investigations, been placed al the period of 3400-2800 8.C., or roughly contemporaneous with the first to the third dynasties of Egypt. Then may be said to have flourished what might appropriately be termed the first flower from which Hellenic civilisation was to fructify. Naturally enough the island has attracted the archeologist, for it offered such a fruitful field for their invest igations, but I hey found lhe place to be like Ceylon’s isle in the hymn, a place where every prospect pleases but only man is vile. Schliemann, who excavated so successfully in Athens, visited Crete in 1886 ami rei'Ognised a Mycenaean palace, at Knossus, and immediately felt the urge to commence the work of excavation, but the proprietors of the land proved to have fingncial instincts which were too strongly developed to permit of the historical interest being indulged in. An Italian mission worked for a number of years excavating, but without any particular results. In 1894 Sir Arthur Evans, of Oxford University, visited Crete in search of a class of seals!ones engraved with pictographie eharaetci's which he had identified as Cretan ami in the same year he acquired part-ownership of the land at Knossus. The disturbed state ol lhe island, however, held up operations and it was not until 1900 that the complete purchase was effected. Immediately there followed continuous work, and interesting results have followed.

Under Turkish rule, which was, as elsewhere, capricious ami consequently unhelpful, progress was slow, but after 1900, when a provisional I!reek Government was formed, lhe work of the excavator has gone on apace.

The. Government has carried out field work on its own, hut lias generously allowed foreign missions, American, British and Italian, to continue their work. These missions undertake the more extensive, examination works which are costly operalions, the Government paying attention to the, numerous accidental finds of tombs and buildings. A museum lias been established at Candia. lhe building being erected in 1908. It was a commodious edifice but, unfortunately, was not designed to resist earthquakes, which are of frequent occurrence. In June. 1926, :1 slight shock dislodged the plaster ceilings and much damage was done to pottery and fresco paintings. It is feared that, the very valuable collection, which is housed in the museum, is likely to be lost through the complete collapse of lhe building. Since Greek law demands that, all objects of value found shall be housed in this unsatisfactory building, the archeologists have taken the precaution to have mechanical duplications made of all important pieces, and these duplications have been distributed to museums in America and Europe. While, therefore, earthquakes may destroy the originals the duplicates will preserve for future generations the evidence upon which is constructed knowledge of the early dawn of European civilisation. The- bombing operations of the Germans now attacking lhe island may do damage to th,' museum, but. it is to be hoped that even the Hun will slay his hand from acts of wanton destruction in Crete.