Archaeologists have discovered a unique circular ritual labyrinth on a high-altitude peak in central Crete, dating to the Protopalatial Minoan period. Unlike the domestic layouts of Knossos or Phaistos, this mountain-top structure is composed of twelve concentric rings of unhewn stone, forming a deliberate maze leading to a central altar pit filled with ash and votive figurines.
This discovery suggests that 'labyrinthine' architecture was a fundamental part of Minoan peak sanctuary rituals long before it was integrated into palace design. Preliminary analysis of the site indicates it was used for astronomical observations, as the entrance to the maze aligns precisely with the midsummer sunrise, suggesting the site served as a prehistoric solar calendar for mountain-dwelling pastoralists.