Eileithyia Cave
{{Short description|Cave and archaeological site in Greece}}
{{Infobox ancient site
|name = Eileithyia Cave
|native_name =
|alternate_name = Cave of Eileithyia
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|image_size=240
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|map_type = Greece
|map_alt = Cave of Eileithyia
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|coordinates = {{coord|35|19|29.2|N|25|12|21|E|display=inline,title}}
|location = Crete
|region = Greece
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|epochs = Neolithic, Bronze Age
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Eileithyia Cave (also the Cave of Eileithyia) was a sacred cave dedicated to the goddess of childbirth, Eileithyia, on the island of Crete. The site was used from the Neolithic to the Roman era, with worship flourishing in the Late Minoan period.{{Cite book|title=Greek Religion|last=Burket|first=Walter|publisher=Blackwell Publishing Ltd. and Harvard University Press|year=1985|isbn=9780674362819|location=Maiden, MA|pages=30}} It is located {{convert|1|km|mi|spell=in|sigfig=1}} south of the town of Amnisos.
Description
It has been suggested that rock formations within the cave resemble female figures, most prominently a stalagmite in the centre that appears as a standing female.
Archaeology
Eileithyia Cave was occupied by prehistoric human settlers from the Neolithic period until around 400 BCE. The archaeological discoveries made in the cave are on display at the Iraklion Museum and the Archaeological Museum of Iraklion. Pottery ranging from the Neolithic to Roman periods has been discovered in the cave, with the most significant number of finds coming from the Minoan era. Four anthropomorphic vases from the Orientalizing period, which could be of Greek origin were found in the sanctuary.{{Cite journal|last=Laskaris|first=Julie|date=2008|title=Nursing Mothers in Greek and Roman Medicine|journal=American Journal of Archaeology|volume=112|issue=3|pages=459–464|jstor=20627484|doi=10.3764/aja.112.3.459}} They are similar to Egyptian vases that show Isis nursing her infant son Horus. The sanctuary is the largest collection of Egyptian and Egyptianizing artifacts on Crete.
The cave was discovered by Christoforos Anerrapsis of Candia.{{Cite journal|url=https://www.academia.edu/40264027|title=Strategies of Resistance: Cretan Archaeology and Political Networks during the Late 19th and Early 20th Century|journal=Genova, A.m. 'Strategies of Resistance: Cretan Archaeology and Political Networks During the Late 19Th and Early 20Th Century' (PHD Dissertation, University of Chicago)|last1=Genova|first1=Aimee}}
Mythology
References
{{reflist|2}}
External links
- http://www.ellada.com/creteiraklion.html
{{Greek Caves}}
{{Navbox prehistoric caves}}
{{Authority control}}
Category:Neolithic sites in Crete
Category:Landforms of Heraklion (regional unit)
Category:Minoan sites in Crete
Category:Ancient caves of Greece
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