Shrines in Sepulchres? A Re-Examination of Three Middle to Late Minoan Tombs

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The three tombs with which this paper is primarily concerned are the tholos tomb at Apesokari in the Messara, the Temple Tomb at Knossos, and Tomb 5 at Ayia Triadha. These tombs have several features in common which do not occur in ordinary Middle Minoan tombs: the multiplicity of rooms in addition to the sepulchral chamber, the presence of pillar rooms, and the inclusion of a room which appears to be a shrine. Two of the three are built entirely above ground; the third was constructed in a huge cut made in the hill slope, possibly because in this way it could be oriented East-West. Two of the three are situated near