The West Court and the bust of Evans, Knossos

Excavations began when Minos Kalokairinos, a native of the city of Iraklio, began experimental digs in the palace area. However, systematic excavations were not begun until Sir Arthur Evans arrived in 1900. The controversial reconstruction that Evans supervised was deemed necessary because of the extreme depth of the site. The palace was confusing due to its multitude of layers--each period of settlement had been built on top of the previous one. The remains seen today are mainly those of the New Palace Period of around 1700 B.C.

Site monuments
Ancient Road	Sacred Area in the West Wing
Central Court	South Propylea
Corridor of the Bays	The Grand Staircase
Corridor of the Draughtboard	The King's Mansion (Hall of the Double Axes)
Corridor of the Processions	The Lower Rooms
East Bastion	The Queen's Bathroom
Giant Jar	The Queen's Mansion
Grand Staircase of the Royal Apartments	Theatre Area
Long Corridor and the Magazines	Upper Propylea and the Piano Nobile
North Entrance	Upper Rooms
North Lustral Basin	West Court
Passage Way	West Entrance
Pillar Crypt