Famous archeaologists

His most famous work dealt with the palace of Knossos at Crete. Minos Kalokairinos unearthed two of the palace’s storerooms in 1894, but the Turkish government interrupted his work. Evans had been deciphering script on seal stones on Crete in 1894. When the island was declared an independent state in 1900, he began his excavations of the palace ruins.

The huge ruin spanned five acres and had a maze-like quality to it that reminded Evans of the Greek myth dealing with King Minos and the labyrinth. Thus, he dubbed the civilization once inhabiting this great place Minoan. By 1903, most of the palace was excavated, uncovering an advanced city filled with artwork and tomes of writing.

The excavations began at a very rapid pace, and by the end of 1903 almost all of the palace had been uncovered and work began on the surrounding area. Evans continued his researches until 1931, with an interruption for the duration of the First World War. He subsequently published his work in four volumes entitled "The Palace of Minos at Knossos". His chief assistant was the archaeologist D Mackenzie, who kept the basic daybook of the excavations.

From the beginning it proved necessary to preserve and restore the monuments that were being uncovered. A number of parts of the Palace were restored in this way, and considerable use was made of reinforced concrete in the work. The parts of the restoration that represent timber frames and other wooden structures were formerly painted yellow, but were later re painted by a colour conventionally representing wood. In a number of places, copies of the famous frescoes discovered, were installed. This method of restoration has received much criticism since it used materials foreign to Minoan architecture. Some scholars also dispute some of the conclusions of the pioneer British excavator.

All questions aside, Evans is constantly admired for his intuition, his creative imagination and his profound scholarship. It is to him that we owe the discovery of the marvellous Minoan Civilization, which until his time was only dimly reflected in Greek Mythology. His services have brought him international fame and recognition.

As a mark of honour, therefore, and to perpetuate his memory, his bust has been erected on the south side of the west court of the palace.

Over 3000 clay tablets were discovered during the excavations. Evans worked hard to translate them. He later discovered the language had two distinct scripts, which came to be known as Linear A or Minoan script, and Linear B.

Evans continued his work at Knossos until the 1930s when the Great War intervened. He published a four-volume work entitled The Palace of Minos at Knossos surveying his work and discoveries at the island of Crete.

Other works such as "Scripta Minoa” (volume 1, 1901: volume 2, 1952), which tells of his deciphering of clay tablets found at Knossos, the four volume Palace of Minos (1921-1935), and “Jarn Mound” (1933).

Sir Arthur Evans was knighted in 1911. He died at the age of 90 in 1941.