265-275

Articles

• Tsikritsis, M.
• Theodossiou, E.
• Manimanis, V., N.
• Mantarakis, P.
• Tsikritsis, D.

A stone die of the Minoan period, discovered near Palaikastro in Crete, Greece, in 1899, was selected for this study as bearer of astronomical significance. Strong evidence is presented in favor of its use (especially of the “ray-bearing” disc on its right-hand side) as a die for the construction of a device that could determine eclipse dates during the Minoan period (circa 15th century BC); additionally, two more practical uses for it are examined: as a sundial and as an instrument for the determination of the geographical latitude.

• History and Archaeology

• Αρχαιολογία

Minoan Crete, archaeoastronomy, computing, Palaikastro, Moon, lunar eclipses

Corresponding author: E. Theodossiou (etheodos@phys.uoa.gr)

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