Minoan peak sanctuaries are widespread throughout the island of Crete (Greece). Most scholars agree that peak sanctuaries were used for religious rites high in the mountains of Crete. Human and animal figurines, as well as signs of religious architecture, have been found at most peak sanctuaries. Additionally, votive clay body parts are found at many of these sites. Many of the sanctuaries fell out of use during the Late Bronze Age, when Mycenaeans from the Greek mainland became the dominant culture on the island.
Eastern and east-central peak sanctuaries Most peak sanctuaries are found in east and east-central Crete.
Petsofas is the only Minoan site with clay weasel and tortoise figurines Traostalos Kalamafki (also Kalamaki) Ziros Korphi tou Mare Xykephalo Vigla (also Viglos) Zou Prinias Plagia Etiani Kephala Modi: among the finds at the Modi peak sanctuary were clay human and animal figurines.Jones, Donald W. 1999 Peak Sanctuaries and Sacred Caves in Minoan Crete Thylakas Maza Karfi
Central Crete peak sanctuaries
Iouktas is probably the earliest of the peak sanctuaries. Tylissos (also Pyrgos Tylissos, not the same site as Pyrgos) Gonies Philioremos
Western Crete peak sanctuaries Vrysinas Spili Vorizi Atsipades in the Korakias mountains was fully excavated in the 1980s. Its many hundred clay figurines and other ceramics have been analysed in detail.
Other peak sanctuaries This section is for peak sanctuaries mentioned in passing in articles where more research is needed before categorizing them. Ambelos Mount Ida Korakomouri Mare
See also High place
References
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