Petsofas

Petsofas is an archaeological site in eastern Crete [1]. The site consisted of a small enclosure, probably open to the air, in which thousands of clay figurines and burnt offerings were left in the early phase of the site's occupation [1]. Unlike most peak sanctuaries, it continued to be used in the Neopalatial period, when the enclosure was built upon with a two-roomed structure, which seems to have continued to see ritual use on a smaller scale than the previous activity at the site [1]. The figurines include representations of human beings, generally thought to stand for worshippers; sacrificial animals; and human limbs usually thought to be associated with requests for divine healing [1]. John Myres made the first excavations of Petsofas in 1903, making it the first Cretan peak sanctuary to be systematically excavated [1]. Charles Trick Currelly finished the 1903 season, and the site was re-excavated in 1971 by Costas Davaras [1]. Petsofas was first used in the Middle Minoan I period (c. 2000 – c. 1800 BCE) [1].