The excavations of Sir Arthur Evans at Knossos revealed a remarkable set of large Minoan storage jars, or pithoi. The compartments in the floor were for grain and produce. An alternative explanation for these compartments is that they were 'catch basins' for the contents of the pithoi if one should break or leak. It would be very hazardous to store grain or produce in the floor of a magazine, the main purpose of which was to hold giant vases of liquids.