Hagia Triada Site (Greece)

Hagia Triada (also Haghia Triada, Hagia Triadha, Ayia Triada, Agia Triada), (Greek: [aˈʝia triˈaða]) is a Minoan archaeological site in Crete. The site includes the remains of an extensive settlement noted for its monumental NeoPalatial and PostPalatial period buildings especially the large Royal Villa. It is located in the Mesara Plain about three kilometers from the larger Palace of Phaistos, with which it appears to have had close political and economic ties. It is also nearby the Minoan harbor site of Kommos. Excavations at Hagia Triada have provided crucial evidence concerning Minoan everyday life. Notable finds include the Hagia Triada sarcophagus and the "Harvester Vase". About 150 Linear A tablets were found, the largest cache at any Minoan site. Twenty three roundels (circular lumps of clay sealed on the edge) and a large number of nodules (clay lumps with 3 faces of which two had small inscriptions and one face a seal) were also found. All of the Linear A finds date to the Late Minoan IB period, before the site was destroyed by fire and then rebuilt. After being found on 54 Linear B tablets (dated LM IIIA1 to LM IIIB) at Knossos, the name "pa-i-to" has been proposed for the ancient name of the nearby site of Phaistos. It has also been proposed that this name encompassed Haghia Triada as well. The ancient name of Hagia Triada is not yet known though "da-wo" has been proposed. The toponym "da-wo" appears on 46 Linear B tablets (dated LM IIIA1 to LM IIIB) at Knossos. It has been proposed as the name of Haghia Triada based on the large amount of grain storage shown which matches that excavated at the site. Scheria from the writing of Homer has also been suggested.