Minotaur: Sir Arthur Evans and the Archaeology of the Minoan Myth

by Joseph Alexander MacGillivray

A compelling biography of the man who claimed to have uncovered the Minoan civilization in 1900 follow the dynamic English archaeologist Sir Arthur Evans to Crete where, following up on Heinrich Schliemann's discovery of Troy, he began excavating for the Minoans.

Genres: History, Biography, Greece, Nonfiction, Ancient History, Archaeology, Classics

373 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2000

Reviews

[Panayoti Kelaidis · Rating 4 out of 5]

My son gave me a copy of this book (which predisposed me to it) and I have to admit I found it pretty readable. Arthur Evans was a powerhouse on many levels: he came from an extraordinarily privileged and wealthy background (his father was also a passionate proto-archeologist). The book describes many of Evans' passions--which included Serbian and Slavic autonomy as well as his better known Archaeology: and he seems to have had an impact on the eventual creation and extent of Yugoslavia as it came to be known. His early involvement in the Boy Scouts presents yet another rather strange facet of his character than Macgillivray does justice to.

The central theme of the book, however, is Evans domineering personality and how it played out both in the escavation and controversial recreation of the site of Knossos, and even more compelling, to what extent the entire idea of the myth and reality of Minoan civilization might not have been largely his invention altogether. It is intriguing to imagine how much more slowly and perhaps more methodically the escavation of the site might not have occurred had Evans not come into the picture. Untold millions of dollars in tourism that have showered upon my ancestral isle would surely have been delayed (Evans understandably is quite the Cretan hero).

I am impressed at how many of the secondary actors throughout Evans' career that Macgillivray manages to describe rather fully: Pendlebury makes a stark contrast to Evans in character--and his tragic death--so mourned by Evans--resonates. McKenzie's dichotomous life which ran so parallel to Evans is especially well drawn. His great skill as a worker is contrasted to his tortured loyalty to his boss, and destructive drinking habits and the ultimate pathos of his end. The collateral damage to characters who were thwarted by the times, and by Evans in particular makes for a rather Operatic sideshow that threatens to take over the text in places, but is certainly entertaining.

Macgillivray makes an excellent case that Evans impetuousness (and impatience), his vast wealth and ideological drive to impose his rather rigid preconceptions of Minoan timeline on contemporary scholarship propelled his work much too quickly. The biographer stresses Evans dictatorial drive to popularize his racial and religious postulations on Minoan culture and society based more on conjecture than fact. This is all rather distasteful, and if the documentation presented that criminal acts of theft, forgery and professional treachery are true, then perhaps Macgillivray's dark assessments might be justified.

To be fair, the biographer seems to almost relish listing Evans' uncanny and unending parade of awards, honors, honorary degrees, prizes and professional coups. Evans seems to be presenting papers every few days before one august body or another in every European country and abroad. I have read many biographies, but never have I seen an innovator receive so much recognition, adulation verging on idolatry in his own lifetime. He seems to grudgingly acknowledge Evans loyalty to friends and enormous patriotism and political idealism (turning his English estate into a virtual nation in exile for hundreds of political refugees from the Balkans, for instance). The Evans who transformed the Ashmolean from a collection of knick knacks to the world class prestigious museum in his lifetime had to have been an uncannily effective bureaucratic advocate. The biographer perhaps doesn't quite do justice to Evans' elevating the status of Archaeology, and how he used his prestige and wealth to bolster the power of cultural entities like Museums through such difficult political times.

It is no secret that Macgillivray must have had enormous frustration following in Evans footsteps, not as a biographer, but as curator of Knossos. So as you read through this book you are reading not just about Evans, but about the author's own struggle to forgive his subject his transgressions (due as much to the culture of his time as to his undeniable personal faults) and still recognize his accomplishment. The biographer's dilemma is almost as interesting as Sir Arthur Evans complex and enormously productive lifetime of achievement.

Perhaps I should have been less stingy and given the book five stars: as you can see, I found it compelling. It would rate five stars in the fictional category (since much of Evans' legacy turns out to be fabrication if you read between the lines), but it is meant to be biography. As such, the book suffers from the conflicted battle that may have gone on in Evan's mind, but which has certainly possessed the biographer: to what extent is archeology science or is it mostly an art? Come to think of it, biography is a Minotaur as well: half science, half art. Half man, half bull.

[Sally · Rating 3 out of 5]

Unfortunately, extremely dry and very hard to read. And the title is a misnomer - there's very little about the Minotaur. It's about Arthur Evans, starting with the birth of his grandfather 120 years before the discovery of Knossos. Which is a real shame, because there was a lot of information in it that was very interesting, especially examples elaborating on who Sir Arthur Evans was.

The pluses: MacGillivray certainly knows what he's talking about, and I really liked his angle. He did a great job of showing how arrogant and self-absorbed Evans was, how he ignored anything that didn't fit his romantic notions, even deliberately distorting information, and bullied everyone who didn't agree with him to his views in spite of evidence to the contrary. To quote the author, Evans is an example of "proving that the force of one man's will can and does change the course of history".

The minuses: It was a lot of hard work getting all that, being difficult to read, confusing in spots, and often unclear as to the source of quotes.

[Liam Ostermann · Rating 5 out of 5]

A timely and important look at the career of Sir Arthur Evans and his work, or really his creation/imposition of his own ideas on the palace at Knossos and Minoan civilization in general. Evans was a man who did many good things but he was typical of his time and class - he had views and opinions and because he was white, British and rich he did not question the difference between what he 'belived' and what actually was. It is hard to understand now the way his social position and wealth made so difficult for those who only had 'knowledge' and 'experience' to challenge him - they were barely acknowledge employees. He was unassailable, even by men (and of course in that era only men's tended to be heard), and if he chose to cover forget and fraud in support of his truth no one would say anything. It wasn't done.

The problem with Evans is that he left behind his monstrous memorial in the edifice of the 'reconstructed' palace at Knossos - we know a great deal of it is nothing more then his mad imaginings - but in draws in millions of tourists, and their money, what was lost in terms of truth can only be guessed at Evans ensured any possibility of finding out the truth is now impossible. Whenever you hear someone go on about the 'great' things Victorians did - stand back and question what they in fact destroyed.

[Alexander · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book occasionally shines and sings the fascinating story it needs to tell. But too often the opportunities to use the author's knowledge of how Evans's work fits into the most up-to-date understanding of Minoan history and the Knossos site in particular. This comes through in bits and pieces but is never summarized or presented as a coherent concluding section, which is a real shame.

The book also offers the occasional glimpse of Evans as a friend, a husband, a boss, a colleague, an adversary, a son, a brother, and a lover--but these are all fairly half-hearted attempts to break up the digging descriptions (with a notable exception or two).

I'm glad I read this book, but I think it could have been quite a bit better as both straight biography and story of the ongoing exploration of the Minoan world.

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Detailed account of Sir Arthur Evans and the archaeology of Knossos. Very useful read ahead of our visit there in a few weeks' time.

I was aware of how Sir Arthur Evans' passion to prove his own theory had led to archaeological practices, which would not be permitted today, particularly the reconstructions and lack of proper record keeping. I had assumed that this was reflection of the times. I was less familiar with his racist views and deliberate concealing of evidence to fit his story.

Despite all that, it will be great to be back in Knossos to see and judge for myself.

[Colin · Rating 5 out of 5]

A really excellent biography of Sir Arthur Evans, who was responsible for the discovery of the Minoan civilization and much excavation on Crete of Minoan and Mycenaean ruins, as well as the fanciful "reconstruction" of the palace at Knossos. His faults are made clear as well as his achievements - a fair assessment of Evans' life and work.

[Virginia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very detailed on life of Sir Arthur Evans and his discoveries even before Crete and the Minoan Culture. As comparisons are made and the progress of archaeology today, we have a better understanding of what these discoveries mean. It is controversial in how he displayed the findings.

[Theo Faurez · Rating 4 out of 5]

Eye-opening biography of Sir Arthur, and especially the excavating of King Minos' "palace" and the "labyrinth." Ever grateful to the early archaeologists, even when methods were crude and conclusions bordered on fantasy.

[Peter · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting story of the life of Sir Arthur Evans and the archaeology of Crete. Entertainingly written and full of stories.

[Jerry]

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[Max Turner · Rating 5 out of 5]

MacGillivray expertly uses the life of Arthur Evans - a prominent figure in early archaeology - to bring to life the wider context of the development of the profession of archaeology.

Hard to put down, this compelling book would be enjoyable to anyone with even a passing interest in archaeology, Knossos and/or the life of Evans. Taking the reader through both the ancient and (relatively) modern history of Crete, it is very accessible to the layperson and not at all dry or overly academic.

MacGillivray doesn't shy away from washing off the sugar coating of others who have looked at Evans' life, but without ever crossing over into being disrespectful. In fact the book comes across as an unbiased and informed account that allows the reader to make up their own minds on a man who both advanced and held back the profession of archaeology through the force of his personality.

I would thoroughly recommend this to students of archaeology and ancient history, but also readers with a passing interest in the development of archaeology or the modern history and politics of Crete and its neighbours.

[Emily M · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read. The story of Sir Arthur Evans and his discoveries at Knossos, taking into account his own personal history and the contemporary social currents that shaped him and his manipulations of what he found in Crete.