Comments on Minoan Beetle Images

Abstract

Images of beetles begin to appear in Minoan Crete early in the Middle Bronze Age. Because one of the earliest manifestations of this phenomenon is in the form of scarab seals that reflect Egyptian prototypes, a natural question involves whether the meaning of this symbol was transferred to Crete along with the imagery. This article examines the beetle images in Crete and considers the evidence for their meanings in the Minoan island. It concludes that the Egyptian symbolism was not transferred to Crete.

DOI:10.2458/azu_jaei_v07i3_betancourt