The flat-based nodule 71980 presents seal-impression – “two running lions” (Del Freo 2002-2003, 69).

It is not inscribed but presents traces of the document and the string used to tie it.

The flat-based nodule (or packet-nodule) was applied directly on the surface of the sealed document, possibly parchment regarding contracts or economical agreements. Probably they were to refer to only if it was necessary, and only in that case the seal must have broken; this could explain why they are often found intact (Montecchi 2010, Montecchi 2019).

This flat-based nodule was discovered in the North-West Quarter, between the Room 13, also known as “Stanza dei Sigilli”, and the Portico 11, like most of the cretulae probably fallen from the upper floor, which collapsed in the fire that destroyed the Villa (Halbherr 1903, 30; Levi 1925, 73; for the provenance of administrative documents See Militello 1988, 1992, 2001, 2011).

Measures 2.35 x 1.3 x 1.0 cm.

The seal impression HT 146 recurs only one time.

The two running lions muove on a rocky background and a palm tree is behind them. The print is not very clear, thus has been first interpreted from Levi like a scene of fighting animas on a desert landscape (Levi 1925-26, 145, n. 146). It is an unicum at Haghia Triada, and finds comparisons only with two one-hone hanging nodules from Zakros, origin place that probably they share (Albertini et alii 2013, 12).

Most commonly the lion is represented alone, or hunting a quadruped, fighting with a man, or protecting divine figures, neverthless, also the running lions motif is quite widespread, and will be echoed by Mycenaeans (Blakolmer 2015, 90).

Coming soon

Coming soon

Coming soon