---
title: Bull’s Head Rhyton from Knossos
author: Carole Raddato
source: https://www.worldhistory.org/image/10587/bulls-head-rhyton-from-knossos/
format: machine-readable-alternate
license: Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/)
updated: 1970-01-01
---

# Bull’s Head Rhyton from Knossos

_Authored by [Carole Raddato](https://www.worldhistory.org/user/FollowingHadrian/)_

## Image File

[![Bull’s Head Rhyton from Knossos](https://www.worldhistory.org/uploads/images/10587.jpg)](https://www.worldhistory.org/uploads/images/10587.jpg)

## Image Caption

Bull’s head rhyton from the [palace](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/palace/) at [Knossos](https://www.worldhistory.org/knossos/) in [Crete](https://www.worldhistory.org/crete/). The carving, from a single block of black steatite, is remarkable for it was worked with great precision to render the natural features of the real animal. The eyes are inlaid with rock crystal, with rim and [iris](https://www.worldhistory.org/Iris/) of red jasper while the snout is outlined with an inlay of white seashell. The rhyton was used as a ritual vessel for pouring liquids (libation). It dates to the Neopalatial period, c. 1600-1450 BCE. The left side of the bull’s head and left ear, as well as its golden horns, were restored by Sir Arthur Evans. Heraklion Archaeological Museum.

#### Editorial Review

This human-authored image has been reviewed by our editorial team before publication to ensure accuracy, reliability and adherence to academic standards in accordance with our [editorial policy](https://www.worldhistory.org/static/editorial-policy/).

## About the Author

Carole maintains the popular ancient history photo-blog Following Hadrian, where she travels the ancient world in the footsteps of Emperor Hadrian.
- [Facebook Profile](https://www.facebook.com/FollowingHadrian)
- [X/Twitter Profile](https://twitter.com/carolemadge)

## Cite This Work

### APA
Raddato, C. (2019, May 08). Bull’s Head Rhyton from Knossos. *World History Encyclopedia*. <https://www.worldhistory.org/image/10587/bulls-head-rhyton-from-knossos/>
### Chicago
Raddato, Carole. "Bull’s Head Rhyton from Knossos." *World History Encyclopedia*, May 08, 2019. <https://www.worldhistory.org/image/10587/bulls-head-rhyton-from-knossos/>.
### MLA
Raddato, Carole. "Bull’s Head Rhyton from Knossos." *World History Encyclopedia*, 08 May 2019, <https://www.worldhistory.org/image/10587/bulls-head-rhyton-from-knossos/>.

## License & Copyright

Submitted by [Carole Raddato](https://www.worldhistory.org/user/FollowingHadrian/ "User Page: Carole Raddato"), published on 08 May 2019. The copyright holder has published this content under the following license: [Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/deed.en). This license lets others remix, tweak, and build upon this content non-commercially, as long as they credit the author and license their new creations under the identical terms. When republishing on the web a hyperlink back to the original content source URL must be included. Please note that content linked from this page may have different licensing terms.