Greece (Santorini, Akrotiri)

The Young Priestess / Woman carrying a brazier from the West House, Akrotiri

3088

Date Created: Circa 1550–1500 BCE. Period: The Late Bronze Age / Late Cycladic I (Neopalatial Period). This era represents the peak of Theran maritime prosperity, high artistic sophistication, and close cultural interchange with Minoan Crete.

Elite Residential and Cultic Shrine Decoration: Functionally, the fresco decorated the upper interior walls of the West House at Akrotiri, which served important civic, religious, and ceremonial functions within the community. Ritual Saffron and Incense Offering: The depiction of a priestess carrying a ritual brazier highlights the central role of sacred offerings, purification rites, and the harvesting of precious commodities (such as saffron) in Aegean religion.