Alarnax (plural:larnakes;Ancient Greek:λάρναξ,romanized: lárnax, plural: λάρνακες,lárnakes) is a type of small closed coffin, box or "ash-chest" often used in theMinoan civilization and inAncient Greece as a container for human remains—either a corpse (bent back on itself) orcremated ashes.
The first larnakes appeared in the Minoan period of theAegean civilization, when they took the form of ceramic coffers designed to imitate wooden chests, perhaps on the pattern of Egyptian linen chests. They were richly decorated with abstract patterns,octopuses and scenes of hunting and cult rituals.[1]
During the laterHellenistic period, larnakes, in the form of small terracotta sarcophagi, became popular, some of which were painted in similar styles to contemporaryGreek vases.
In a few special cases, larnakes appear to have been made out of precious materials, as inthe 4th century BC example found atVergina inMacedonia, of gold, with a sun motif (hence known as the "Vergina Sun" motif) on the lid.Manolis Andronikos, the leader of the archaeological excavation, posited that the larnax most likely contained the remains of KingPhilip II of Macedon, father ofAlexander the Great.[2]
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