THE PALACE OF MINOS AT KNOSSOS

Chronicling the excavations of Arthur Evans at what he dubbed (sans evidence) the royal palace of King Minos, Scarre and Stefoff attribute the site’s enduring fascination for archaeologists and tourists both as much to his marketing abilities as to the dazzling finds made there. While detailing his sometimes questionable techniques—which included imaginative reconstructions of structures and artifacts—the authors also clearly explain the importance of his achievements, and what the site has taught us about Minoan civilization. The background history of that civilization here is so skimpy that the devastating volcanic explosion of Thera isn’t even mentioned, but Stefoff interviews a modern archaeologist to bring readers up to date, and the survey closes with brief descriptions of other Minoan sites. Illustrated with scenes of Evans at work, detailed diagrams, views of ancient artifacts and more, this helps to put a human face on our study of the past, while highlighting one of the past century’s most important, and tantalizing, archaeological finds. (index, bibliography) (Nonfiction. 10-13)