In the year 1900, British archaeologist Arthur Evans began excavations at Knossos. Today, 125 years later, the site stands as one of the most important archaeological landmarks in Europe. But behind the celebrated story lies a lesser-known rivalry and a twist of fate that allowed Evans to claim a legacy that might have belonged to someone else.
Schliemann’s Missed Opportunity
Heinrich Schliemann—renowned for uncovering the secrets of ancient Troy—was well aware of Crete’s archaeological potential. Fascinated by the island, he suspected that the legendary palace of King Minos might lie somewhere near Heraklion. However, Schliemann ultimately chose to continue his work in the Hellespont region (modern-day northwestern Turkey), rather than commit to a major excavation in Crete.
That decision left the door open for another explorer. Local antiquarian Minos Kalokairinos had already conducted small-scale excavations at Knossos, unearthing two palace storerooms. He held the excavation rights and asked for 100,000 gold francs to relinquish them—a price that Schliemann found too steep, even after tough negotiations brought the asking price down to 40,000 francs. And so, it was not Schliemann but Arthur Evans who seized the opportunity.
Evans Takes the Lead
A museum director from Oxford and an admirer of Schliemann’s work, Evans saw potential in the scattered finds from Kalokairinos’s digs. Beginning in 1895, he gradually acquired portions of the land and, on March 23, 1900, launched full-scale excavations with a team of 30 workers—soon expanded to 100.
What Evans uncovered was astonishing: the sprawling ruins of a palace complex over 3,500 years old. He believed he had found the ancient city-state of Knossos and the home of the mythical King Minos described by Homer. The excavation revealed interconnected buildings, residential quarters, storerooms, staircases, corridors, royal apartments, and a vast central courtyard.
Imagination Meets Archaeology
But Evans’s interpretations were often driven more by imagination than hard evidence. In many cases, he made bold assumptions based on fragmentary findings. Discovering an alabaster chair in one room, for example, led him to designate it the “Throne Room”—a claim still debated today.
He went even further, reconstructing large portions of the palace with considerable artistic license. Early reconstructions were built in wood, later replaced by reinforced concrete. These interventions transformed the ruins into a kind of Minoan “Disneyland” — a visually stunning but heavily interpreted site. While impressive for visitors, these reconstructions have posed serious challenges for modern archaeologists, making it difficult—if not impossible—to draw unbiased conclusions about the original function and design of the buildings.
What We Do Know
Despite the controversy, some facts are clear. Two distinct palaces were built at Knossos. The first was likely constructed after 2100 BCE and destroyed around 1700 BCE by an earthquake. A second, rebuilt palace arose around 1450 BCE, only to be destroyed by fire roughly a century later. That destruction coincides with the end of the Minoan civilization on Crete and the broader collapse of the Bronze Age in the region.
Another drawback for visitors today is the disconnect between the site and its artifacts. Apart from a few replicas, the palace itself is largely empty. The vast majority of original finds—including many stunning artifacts—are housed in the Archaeological Museum of Heraklion. While impressive, this arrangement prevents visitors from experiencing these objects in their original architectural context.
Legacy and Recognition
In 1911, Arthur Evans was knighted for his contributions to archaeology. He passed away on July 11, 1941, at the age of 90. His legacy endures, though not without controversy. While he brought Knossos to global attention, the path he took—and the liberties he exercised—continue to spark debate among historians and archaeologists.
