New excavations on the slopes of Mount Dikti on the island of Crete have revealed a high-altitude Minoan peak sanctuary dating back over 3,500 years. The site, situated at an elevation of 1,200 meters, has yielded an extraordinary cache of bronze votive swords and clay figurines, providing new insights into the ritual practices of the Late Minoan period.
Unlike lowland urban temples, this sanctuary features a series of terraced stone platforms designed for outdoor communal rituals. The discovery of charred animal remains and small libation vessels suggests that the site was used for seasonal sacrifices intended to ensure agricultural fertility. Archaeologists are using 3D laser scanning to map the sanctuary's alignment with the rising sun during the summer solstice.