Minoan labyrinth that reportedly housed a mythological creature 4000 years ago uncovered in Crete

Greek mythology forms a crucial part of history. It consists of interesting creatures and incredible heroes, especially the stories of a powerful monster, the Minotaur, living inside a Cretan labyrinth, which has fascinated many. In a shocking discovery earlier this June, the Minoan labyrinth that housed the legendary Minotaur was uncovered. This 4000-year-old structure was uncovered during a hill's expropriation to install a radar system for airport servicing on the island of Crete in Greece, according to a press release from the Greek Ministry of Culture. With clear indications of Minoan architecture, this structure has kindled the interests of researchers.

In Greek mythology, the Minotaur—a part man and part bull monster—was said to be confined within the walls of an underground labyrinth, as per the Ashmolean Museum. During the reign of King Minos in the Bronze Age, Daedalus, an architect, designed the labyrinth to keep the monster in captivity. The Greek hero Theseus is said to have defeated the Minotaur and the myth has since undergone several stages of metamorphosis. The location and the purpose of the complex structure keep changing in every historical record. However, the labyrinth uncovered on top of Crete's Papoura hill at an altitude of 494m dates back to the Bronze Age, probably between 2000-1700 BCE. 

If not for the Surveillance Systems' installation for a new airport Northwest of Kastelli, the structure would have gone unnoticed. It was a circular maze measuring 48 meters in diameter and covering 1800 square meters. It consisted of eight superimposed stone rings, approximately 1.7 meters high, and had diverse elevation levels. The spaces between the walls of the labyrinth were quite narrow and there were two possible main entrances to the maze's epicenter. Experts assume the monument might have been constructed before or at the beginning of the Palaeopalatial period. Also, few Neopalatial pottery were identified during the structure's excavation, which indicated a continuation of the labyrinth's utilization.

"This is a unique find of great interest," said Lina Mendoni, the Minister of Culture in Greece. The site has now been preserved for more excavation and archaeological research and the autopsy of the discovered items reveals a rich cultural significance. Experts implied this structure was the first of its kind to have been unearthed in Crete. The central zone could have been in the shape of a truncated cone or might have been a vault as well. Also, several animal bones on the site indicated that the labyrinth could have been used periodically for conducting rituals or gatherings that involved food, wine and offerings. Also, experts believe that the intricate details and complex construction of the labyrinth must have been effectuated by builders with special experience and great central supervision.

However, one cannot be sure if this structure was really where the mythological monster, Minotaur, was imprisoned, as per IFL Science. Historical records primarily point to the labyrinth's location being at Knossos on the Aegean island of Crete. While the existence of the bull-man creature itself is uncertain, the mismatch of the labyrinth mentioned in Greek mythology adds more to the bewilderment.