Dr. Senta German

About Dr. Senta German

Dr. Senta German, now at the Ashmolean Museum of Art and Archaeology, University of Oxford, took her Ph.D. at Columbia University in Aegean, Greek and Ancient Near Eastern archaeology and art. She explores the intersection of art and ancient Greek society with specific attention to performance, gender and the impacts of the illicit antiquities trade and forgery. She has taught at Columbia University, New York University, Rutgers University and was Associate Professor of Classics and Art History at Montclair State University.

There aren’t many places in the world like Knossos—after all, it is 9,000 years old.

Knossos

Bull-leaping fresco from the palace of Knossos — The Bronze Age culture of Crete, called Minoan, is one of the most vibrant and admired in all of European prehistory.

Minoan art, an introduction

The archaeological site at Knossos, with restored rooms in the background, Crete (photo: Jebulon, public domain) — The people of the ancient Aegean were great seafarers and traders, talented potters, painters, jewelers, weavers and carvers of stone.

An introduction to the ancient Aegean

Cycladic period figures, marble, (National Archaeological Museum, Athens) — The ancient Cycladic islands are perhaps best known for the elegant, small-scale marble sculptures—nearly all of women—known as Cycladic Figurines.

Cycladic art, an introduction

looks past the "Palace" to the sea, Mycenae Mycenae, Greece, c. 1600-1100 B.C.E. — Mycenaean culture dominated southern Greece, but is perhaps best known for the site of Mycenae itself.

Mycenaean art, an introduction

The era of repatriations has finally come. The work is slow and uneven and there are countless objects yet to return home, but repatriations are now occurring at a rate never before seen.

Repatriating artworks

Euphronios, Sarpedon Krater, (signed by Euxitheos as potter and Euphronios as painter), c. 515 B.C.E., red-figure terracotta, 55.1 cm diameter (National Museum Cerite, Cerveteri, Italy) — This pot has been the subject of so much violence, desire, admiration and contention, and its meaning has been remade many times.

The many meanings of the Sarpedon Krater

Ashurbanipal taking aim at a lion (detail), Lion Hunts of Ashurbanipal (ruled 669-630 B.C.E.), c. 645 B.C.E., gypsum,Neo-Assyrian, hall reliefs from Palace at Ninevah across the Tigris from present day Mosul, Iraq (British Museum) — Led by aggressive warrior kings, Assyria dominated the fertile crescent for half a millennia, amassing vast wealth.

Assyria, an introduction

Statuette of a Male Figure (The Palaikastro Kouros) — This ivory statue of a young man bears similarities to both Greek and Egyptian art.

Statuette of a Male Figure (The Palaikastro ...

Kamares ware jug — This delicate type of pottery helps us understand the far-reaching trade networks in the ancient Mediterranean.

Kamares Ware Jug

Hagia Triada sarcophagus — This beautifully painted sarcophagus depicts an elaborate burial ritual—was it made for royalty?

Hagia Triada sarcophagus

Bull's head rhyton from the palace at Knossos — This hollow stone vessel in the shape of a bull's head is both frighteningly realistic and beautifully stylized.

Bull’s Head Rhyton

Harvester Vase from Hagia Triada — The exuberant procession depicted on this small but luxurious object celebrates the fruits of farming the land.

Harvester Vase

Octopus vase from Palaikastro — This vase with a charming image of a writhing octopus was made during the height of the Minoan sea trade.

Octopus vase

Snake goddess from the palace at Knossos — Goddess, priestess, or simply a Minoan woman? Mysteries abound in this small figurine from Knossos.

Snake Goddess

Bull-leaping fresco, palace of Knossos — Athletic youths spring over a powerful bull—who are they, and why are they performing such a dangerous act?

Bull-leaping fresco from the palace of Knossos

La Parisienne, from the Camp Stool fresco, palace of Knossos — This woman's striking profile has long fascinated viewers, but we know surprisingly little about who she is.

Minoan woman or goddess from the palace ...

Knossos — The archaeological site of Knossos (on the island of Crete) —traditionally called a palace—is the second most popular tourist attraction in all of Greece.

Restoration versus conservation: the Palace at Knossos ...

Archer (detail), Frieze of Griffins, c. 510 B.C.E., Apadana, west courtyard of the palace, Susa, Iran, glazed siliceous brick, 1.65 x 4.22 m, excavations led by Jacques de Morgan and Roland de Mecquenem, 1908-13 — Despite what their sworn enemies the Greeks would have you believe, the Persians ruled a tolerant multi-ethnic empire.

Ancient Persia, an introduction

Head of Akkadian Ruler, 2250-2200 B.C.E. (Iraqi Museum, Baghdad - looted?) — Founded by the famed Sargon the Great, Akkad was a powerful military empire.

Akkad, an introduction