Minoan peak sanctuaries
Minoan peak sanctuaries are widespread throughout the island of Crete. Most scholars agree that peak sanctuaries were used for religious rites high in the mountains of Crete. Human and animal figurines, as well as signs of religious architecture, have been found at most peak sanctuaries. Additionally, votive clay body parts are found at many of these sites. Many of the sanctuaries fell out of use during the Late Bronze Age, when Mycenaeans from the Greek mainland became the dominant culture on the island.
Eastern and east-central peak sanctuaries
Most peak sanctuaries are found in east and east-central Crete.- Petsofas is the only Minoan site with clay weasel and tortoise figurines
- Traostalos
- Kalamafki
- Ziros Korphi tou Mare
- Xykephalo
- Vigla
- Zou Prinias
- Plagia
- Etiani KephalaModi: among the finds at the Modi peak sanctuary were clay human and animal figurines.
- Thylakas
- Maza
- Karfi
Central Crete peak sanctuaries
Western Crete peak sanctuaries
- Vrysinas
- Spili Vorizi
- Atsipades in the Korakias mountains was fully excavated in the 1980s. Its many hundred clay figurines and other ceramics have been analysed in detail.