Unlocking Greek mythology

"The public may not be familiar with the Minoan civilization," says Bo Haikun, curator of the exhibition at the Palace Museum. "Through a mixture of mythology and physical archaeological evidence, we unroll a broad view of Minoan civilization.

"Museum visitors nowadays are no longer satisfied chasing after 'stars' from abroad. Lesser-known but key historical indicators also tell appealing stories," he says.

A chlorite bull-headed rhyton dating to 1500 to 1450 BC is displayed near the gallery entrance and serves as a guide into the Minoan world. The intricately carved vessel was used to hold sacrificial wine.

According to Bo, images of similar vessels are found in the frescoes of ancient Egyptian Pharaonic tombs of the time, indicating that the bull-headed rhyton was given by rulers of Crete as a kind of gift.