A New Minoan-Type Peak Sanctuary on Stelida, Naxos

A new Minoan-type peak sanctuary has been identified on Stelida, Naxos, suggesting that the island played a more dynamic role in socio-religious and economic interactions with Neopalatial Crete during the 2nd millennium BCE. This discovery is based on architectural remains, material culture, and strategic location comparable to known Cretan peak sanctuaries. The site's prominence over Grotta, Naxos' main harbor and Bronze Age center, reinforces its significance in Minoan influence across the Aegean. The findings challenge previous assumptions about Naxos' limited engagement with Cretan palatial centers like Knossos.

Carter, T., Mallinson, K., Mastrogiannopoulou, V., Contreras, D. A., Diffey, C., Lopez, C., Pareja, M. N., Tsartsidou, G., & Athanasoulis, D. (2021). A New Minoan-Type Peak Sanctuary on Stelida, Naxos. Journal of Greek Archaeology, 6, 60–100. https://doi.org/10.32028/9781789698886-5