The Evansian Period of Knossos: Inconvenient History and the World Heritage List

Knossos, one of the most significant ancient Minoan palatial centers on Crete, has not been inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List (WHL) despite its outstanding universal value. This study argues that a new submission for 'Minoan Palatial Centres' could be strengthened by acknowledging Sir Arthur Evans' controversial 20th-century reconstruction work and architectural speculation (c. 1900–1935). While Evans' theories, many of which have been disproven, are still used to enhance the heritage value of these sites, they need not form the basis of a WHL proposal. Instead, the study proposes that openly addressing this 'inconvenient history' could enrich the narrative and strengthen any future application, recognizing Knossos' pivotal role in Mediterranean ancient history and architecture.

Dickson, R. (2016). The Evansian Period of Knossos: Inconvenient History and the World Heritage List. Fabrications, 26(1), 102–120. https://doi.org/10.1080/10331867.2016.1131134