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Seal ring showing bull-leaping scene.

Presented by Sir Arthur Evans, 1938.
© Ashmolean Museum, University of Oxford

Seal ring showing bull-leaping scene.

Presented by Sir Arthur Evans, 1938.
© Ashmolean Museum, University of Oxford

of

Bull-leaping ring

Year c. 1450 BC - c. 1375 BC (Late Minoan II Period - Late Minoan IIIA1 Period)
Type Signet rings
Dimensions Height 2.3 cm; width 3.5 cm; diameter 2.2 cm.
Materials gold
Accession AN1896-1908.AE.2237
Findspot Archanes
Description This gold ring shows a man leaping over a bull. The paved floor indicates that this took place in or around the Palace. The object in front of the bull is probably a folded garment of cloth or leather but its significance is not clear. 1450–1375 BCE, gold said to be from Archanes.
View in Collection

Cattle were important animals in Bronze Age Crete. In the absence of natural predators they were probably left to roam around the island and then rounded up when needed. Bull-leaping seems to have emerged from this way of managing cattle, like the American rodeo. A gold ring like this was used as a signet ring, to leave an impression in clay documents as a form of signature. Perhaps its wearer had distinguished themselves as a bull-leaper.

Further reading

Shapland, A.J. 2013. ‘Jumping to conclusions: bull-leaping in Minoan Crete’, Society and Animals 21: 194-207

Seal ring showing bull-leaping scene.

Presented by Sir Arthur Evans, 1938.
© Ashmolean Museum, University of Oxford

Seal ring showing bull-leaping scene.

Presented by Sir Arthur Evans, 1938.
© Ashmolean Museum, University of Oxford

of