Clues to the Location of Minoan Bull-Jumping from the Palace at Knossos
James G. Thompson
Journal of Sport History:Vol. 16, No. 1 (Spring, 1989)
Abstract
Although there is an abundance of archaeological evidence of Minoan palace culture, there is still much to be learned about the palatial period of the Aegean Bronze Age. One area of uncertainty, which has led to varying degrees of speculation and a great deal of controversy, is the bull-jump. While there are several aspects of this Cretan activity that have caused much debate, one area that has puzzled scholars is the exact location of this event.’ Not surprisingly, several authorities maintain that bull-jumping was held outside the confines of the major palaces, while others argue that the central courts of the palaces were the sites of these contests. A recent examination of the palace at Knossos and its surroundings has provided additional clues which may shed further light on the location of these spectacular activities.
The opponents of the central court theory believed that it was not realistic to direct a bull through the interior of a palace without causing damage en route to the central court. Also, once in the central court, there was the problem of keeping a bull confined to the area, as the spaces between columns opened directly into adjacent areas of the palace. The advocates of the central court theory make the following arguments: the central court provided adequate spectator accommodations, including a safe area for viewing; there was a system in place designed to keep a bull confined to the central court; there was access to the central court without leading the animal through the interior of the palace; there was a suitable area for detaining a bull; and, most recently, the identification of what has been interpreted as vaulting devices located in the central courts which were used by vaulters to assist them in their jumps. The three major palace sites – Knossos, Phaestos, and Mallia – have all or some of these attributes.
Clues to the Location of Minoan Bull-Jumping from the Palace at Knossos
James G. Thompson
Journal of Sport History: Vol. 16, No. 1 (Spring, 1989)
Abstract
Although there is an abundance of archaeological evidence of Minoan palace culture, there is still much to be learned about the palatial period of the Aegean Bronze Age. One area of uncertainty, which has led to varying degrees of speculation and a great deal of controversy, is the bull-jump. While there are several aspects of this Cretan activity that have caused much debate, one area that has puzzled scholars is the exact location of this event.’ Not surprisingly, several authorities maintain that bull-jumping was held outside the confines of the major palaces, while others argue that the central courts of the palaces were the sites of these contests. A recent examination of the palace at Knossos and its surroundings has provided additional clues which may shed further light on the location of these spectacular activities.
The opponents of the central court theory believed that it was not realistic to direct a bull through the interior of a palace without causing damage en route to the central court. Also, once in the central court, there was the problem of keeping a bull confined to the area, as the spaces between columns opened directly into adjacent areas of the palace. The advocates of the central court theory make the following arguments: the central court provided adequate spectator accommodations, including a safe area for viewing; there was a system in place designed to keep a bull confined to the central court; there was access to the central court without leading the animal through the interior of the palace; there was a suitable area for detaining a bull; and, most recently, the identification of what has been interpreted as vaulting devices located in the central courts which were used by vaulters to assist them in their jumps. The three major palace sites – Knossos, Phaestos, and Mallia – have all or some of these attributes.
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