bronze age aegean

Phylakopi

Dramatic change throughout aegean and beyond--climate change? Settlements: neater architecture than forts, all nucleated Large coastal settlements close to arable land and harbors New types of seagoing ships, sails Increased exchange with near east Tombs: rock cut chambers Determined structure of island societies in MBA-LBA

Mesolithic

The Middle Stone Age of Europe, Asia, and Africa beginning about 12,000 years ago

Cycladic Civilization

is an Early Bronze Age culture of the Cycladic islands in the Aegean Sea, spanning the period from approximately 3200-2000 BC. Notable archeological findings are terracotta statuettes.

bridge-spouted jar

knossos, protopalatial

kephala

Kephala is a hill landform in northern Crete, Greece. This location was chosen by ancient settlers for the site of the Palace of Knossos; the footprint of the Neolithic settlement at Kephala Hill was actually larger than the Bronze Age Palace of Knossos.

Phaistos

Minoan Palace on Crete. Middle or Late Bronze Age. Linear A was discovered here.

lustral basin

Minoan architectural feature consisting of a small sunken room usually lined with gypsum or plaster whose function is unknown but likely ceremonial.

kouloures/koulouria

Named after a type of greek bread Stone-lined subterranean pits; in protopalatial period, lie outside palace buildings themselves, in large public court separating palace from surrounding town Found at knossos, phaistos, and malia Have been interpreted as granaries, cisterns, garbage pits, or planters for sacred trees

dimini

Neolithic (4000-3000 BCE); located in Thessaly. Dimini-style pottery (polychrome); high levels of agriculture; similar housing settlements to Sesklo

redistribution model

Neolithic farmers rely on subsistence agriculture Diversification of agriculture with intro of domesticated olive and grape Local specialization in ag production, increase in cultivable land Increased productivity, increased pop Interdependence of farmers Introduction of intermediary, "redistributive chiefs" at local level to organize production Creation of central storage areas for ag produce prior to redistribution Processing of raw materials led in turn to installations attached to storage areas Other production results, leading to craft specialization and prestige good manufacture Increased interdependence of farmers

Franchthi Cave

Neolithic site in Greece that provides early evidence for the introduction of agriculture to the European continent. Burials and rituals were held here. For nomads and also as a settlement. flint/chert chipped stone, some obsidian, maybe trade

Sesklo

Neolithic society on the plain of Thessaly (5000-4000 BC). First settlements in Neolithic Era. Good for growing grain. We see figurines of people emerge in this period, and an influx of religious activity. Sesklo is characterized by settlements on hilltops, with a large house at the top, concentric walls at the bottom, and smaller houses in between. This organization displays social structure.

neolithic: early, middle, late, final

Neolithic: 6,000-3,000 BC Farming, settlement, pottery

Larnax/larnakes

New burial form Larnax: small closed coffin containing contracted skeleton or ashes; imitate wooden chests, egyptian? Movement towards single rather than communal burial Highlights individual status rather than general kinship structures

tsoungiza

New settlement in FN-EH I period, continuous stratigraphy into EH III period Earliest architecture in EH I period, no building until EH II

Kolonna on Aegina

No break between EH IIB and III Massive walls surrounding site

Grotta-Pelos culture

Numerous small settlements Little surviving architecture Tombs Dead are buried in cemeteries in cist graves in groups Metal Copper wire, boats with tools External connection

Gournia

Often multistoried, multi roomed dwellings Stone foundations, rubble and mudbrick walls, flat roofs

Minoan

Prosperous civilization on the Aegean island of Crete in the second millennium B.C.E. Exerted powerful cultural influences on the early Greeks.

Theatral Area

Protopalatial examples at knossos and phaistos that were adapted in neopalatial phase Prominent locations on site Seats are divided by walkways to allow access like stadium seats today Both contain kernoi hammered into the seats (cf. court of vasiliki) Possible uses? Performances like dancing or political assemblies

tsoungiza, house A

Rapid shift in ceramics and material culture apparent in continuous sequence from EH I-II tsoungiza House a: important evidence for the beginning of monumental architecture in the EH period (megaron?) Entrance is off center so not megaron Located on top of hill, in isolated position Massive walls-evidence for upper story Shallow porch with central post, narrow corridor/ vestibule with staircase, main room Proto-corridor house Front porch emphasizing main entrance Doorway set to side rather than on central axis Narrow corridor space on inside of building Tiles

house of the tiles: room 11

Room 11: smaller storeroom Seal deposits: Complex socioeconomic and administrative use of structure Large number of clay sealings used to seal jars, baskets, boxes, doorways Over 70 different designs

kastri group culture

Settlements (fortifications)-- all abandoned at end of period Kastri, syros Panormos,naxos; mt kythnos, delos; agia irini, keos Tombs, same as before Figurines: some schematic figures but FAF productions and marble vessels decline Pottery: wheelmade, otherwise continue early traditions Metal: tin alloyed bronze at kastri and troy

mesara

Tholoi, mesara plain Monumental, round tombs Most used for multiple inhumations over long timespan Nuclear or extended families linked to locality in which built Paved areas, deposits of drinking/serving vessels found outside many

Protopalatial

a chronological phase of Minoan civilization coinciding with the emergence of the First Palaces of Crete.

Quartier Mu

a complex of mercantile dwellings at the site of Malia in NE Crete; perhaps where wealthy individuals who controlled the business of the "palace" resided; workshops attached where many unpainted and unfinished ceramic objects have been found

wattle and daub

a framework of interwoven sticks and mud or clay used to build homes

Sauceboat

a pitcher used for serving sauce or gravy

Pyxis

a small cylinder-shaped container with a detachable lid used to contain cosmetics or jewelry

Kantharos

a type of ancient Greek goblet with two large handles and a wide mouth

Kamares Ware

a type of extremely fine palace pottery in the minoan culture

sources for aegean bronze age

aegean= northeastern med sea; Crete, greece, turkey Absolute chronology: can be backed by science Relative chronology: dating by typology Cycladic, from cyclades (islands in Aegean forming a circle, with delos at the center) Minoan, from minos, mythical king of crete Helladic, from Hellas, greek word for greece; Late helladic=mycenaean

bay of siteia

agia photia, chamaizi

ha gorge

is a narrow gorge, at the Monasteraki Dakos, on the eastern part of the island of Crete in Greece. It is located in the west slope of Thrypti mountain range,[1][2] and exits east of Vasiliki village in the plain of Ierapetra

horns of consecration

is an expression coined by Sir Arthur Evans to describe the symbol, ubiquitous in Minoan civilization, that represents the horns of the sacred bull:

lasithi

is the easternmost regional unit on the island of Crete

morstise and tenon

joint connects two pieces of wood or of other material.

folded arm figures (FAF)

spedos type figurine, with folded arms An explosion in numbers, diversity, the intricacy of design, and height Most likely reclining figures since cannot stand on their own Latest types lack either carved or painted details makeup/body paint Tattoos Scars Ritual mourning

orthostate

squared stone blocks much greater in height than depth that are usually built into the lower portion of a wall

Minoan state

a bureaucratic monarchy

Early Minoan

2900-2100 BC

Early Helladic

3100-2000 BCE

Gypsum

A mineral used as a building material

Royal Road

A road for the government use built by the ancient Persian ruler Darius which helped unite the empire

skarkos

Agglomeration of houses House blocks Narrow streets, small communal squares Suggests 2 story houses with fences

Linear A

An undeciphered writing system used in Crete in the 17th century B.C., Minoan's first written language; has not been translated.

Minoan Tholos Tombs

Archanes near knossos Influential on later mycenaean tholos types; fully vaulted in stone, most not preserved

Arthur Evans

British archaeologist who excavated the palace of Knossos in Crete to find what he called Minoan civilization (1851-1941)

EH IIB-III transition

Do have new forms associated with III at lefkandi and elsewhere Apsidal houses Tumuli But in other areas, these changes happen in IIB Architecture: apsidal longhouses/megara--earliest for central and southern greece at thebes Burial customs: multiple inhumation in rock-cut chamber tombs, same as earlier korakou culture New pottery shapes: derive mostly from western anatolian prototypes

Mochlos

EM IIA-B house tomb complexes, unusually rich with stone vases, ivory, gold, silver, rock crystal, copper daggers, faience--NE imports (not cycladic, other than melos obsidian), local production Similar rituals as tholoi in central crete: multiple inhumations, cleared out skull retained Funerary ritual: offerings with initial interment; continued offerings in ossuaries/ subsidiary rooms (ancestor worship?) house D

Myrtos Fornou Korifi

EMII settlement with domestic and funerary contexts

Vasiliki Ware

Early Minoan pottery, characterized by colorful glazing achieved by uneven firing.

spedos figurine

FAF

schematic type figurine

Fiddle shape, phallic head, strofilas/andros

Cretan Hieroglyphs

First evidence of literacy in crete Had been preceded by intensification of seal production-- new types, some imported ivory Based on egyptian? Several MMIA seals have signs that appear in later cretan hieroglyphic protopalatial period

Heinrich Schliemann

He found Mycenae in 1876.

MMIA

House D, mochlos House B, vasiliki Development of fortified complexes, some focused on central courtyard Medium-sized, unworked stone structures bound together with mud mortar Stone paving common

neolitihic-EH transition

Increase of sites, expansion of settlement during final neolithic, continuity into EH Surface survey! And especially from the E peloponnese Many survey sites labeled FN-EH I due to similarity of material culture But: certain types of locations abandoned, indicating change in economic practices Shift from higher inland settlements to lower coastal ones Shift away from pastoralism to more agriculture, in conjunction with new agricultural tech Reflects increasing contacts/need for resources not locally available

minoan palace: features, explanations, influences, development

Inspired by imitations of similar buildings in near east that had a redistributive system But emerging in the period of relative isolation/internalized/regional focus Indigenous development? Related to: trade/interactions Economic factors Social factors

vasiliki: west house and red house

Large multi room/multistory structure, terraced into hilltop overlooking isthmus Predecessor to palaces, with two wings surrounding the central courtyard? Actually, probably, two separate buildings dating to slightly different periods (red house, west house)

strofilas

Large, densely populated and wealthy settlement with political, economic, and social structures Control of metal and sea trade routes Rock carving: boats Plastiras type figurine The ears, polos headdresses, drilled eyes, and bellybutton, kneecaps and prominent features. Although the hands meet across the stomach and are not folded Louros type figurine Short and stubby arms, extended horizontally, at shoulder level Schematic type figurine Fiddle shape, phallic head

Ayia Photia

Largest EBA I cemetery in greece 300+ rock cut tombs Most inhumations buried with pottery, esp pyxis Some metal objects: bronze daggers, silver pendants Obsidian blades Cycladic influence/ settlement: style of pottery, found only in north-central and NE crete

agora, malia

Located to NW of later palace Large open rectangular space with plaster floor, enclosed by massive foundations originally supporting banks of seats Functional equivalent to theatral areas Hypostyle crypt with large storerooms, pithoi, and drainage facilities "Council hall" to the west of storerooms? Benches, careful plastered walls

Protopalatial Period

MMIB-IIB, 1900-1750 BC Rapid and dramatic transformation beginning in MMIA but particularly in MMIB Marked by the construction of the "old palace" complexes at knossos, malia, and phaistos, poss. Other sites; emphasis on central courtyard+ceremonies here Elite protopalatial building complexes--focus for new architectural forms, use and deposition of prestige items Knossos and malia: formation of monumental "court" structures originating in EM III-MMIA; construction of first courtyards by MMIB Phaistos: earliest courtyard building appears at this time Development of cretan hieroglyphic Appearance of orthostates; ashlar masonry, upper stories Extension of trade contact with aegean islands--minoan pottery found here and in anatolia, levant, cyprus, and egypt Pottery: introduction of fast wheel, thinner vessel walls and more complex types, influenced by metalware Kamare ware Difficult to securely isolate each phase Major destruction horizon at end of MMIIB--end of old palace/protopalatial period

chamaizi

MMIIA fortified complex; well-situated overlooking bay of siteia Only know minoan oval structure Based on earlier EM II-III building design Altar + figurines--domestic shrine? Domestic pottery, pithoi, loom weights Hearths, ash deposits found in number of areas Small courtyard and cistern in center, open to sky

Helladic

Period characterizing the culture of mainland ancient Greece during the Bronze Age. complements parallel periods listed above(Cycladic and Minoan). It is a relative dating system and relies heavily on pottery.

mirabello bay

Plentiful IIA-B evidence from domestic and funerary contexts Settlements at gournia, mochlos, pseira, vasilke, myrtos-fournou korifi, myrtos-pyrgos Mochlos: EM IIA-B house tomb complexes, unusually rich with stone vases, ivory, gold, silver, rock crystal, copper daggers, faience--NE imports (not cycladic, other than melos obsidian), local production Similar rituals as tholoi in central crete: multiple inhumations, cleared out skull retained Funerary ritual: offerings with initial interment; continued offerings in ossuaries/ subsidiary rooms (ancestor worship?) EM IIB east crete: period of expansion of number of settlements Large scale buildings at malia, vasilike, palaikastro: public/ ritual functions preceding palatial period?

Minoan Infrastructure

Population and settlement expansion, evidence for different settlement types, emerging social hierarchy Large fineware deposits-- evidence of feasting (knossos)

Burnished Pottery

Pottery: agios onuphrius and pyrgos (dark grey burnished) ware continue Different regional styles and preferences: poros--lots of cycladic pottery; sauce boats New forms: fine gray ware Vasiliki ware early minoan II

Keros-Syros Culture

Settlements: handful of larger, more populous, more complex, nucleated settlements emerge Agia irini, skarkos, dhaskalio Cemeteries: small, similar to last one, sealed with slab, corbeled, most graves are poor Pottery: nicer clays, higher firing temps, greater range of shapes Metal: tools and weapons like tweezers, daggers, adzes/chizels and fish hooks

Harriet Boyd Hawes

She is best known as the discoverer and first director of Gournia, one of the first archaeological excavations to uncover a Minoan settlement and palace on the Aegean island of Crete

Anemospilia

Site in Crete with possible sacrificial remains of a young man, who may have been killed to ward off an earthquake.

Three Age System

Stone Age, Bronze Age, Iron Age

Dhaskalio

Stone and mudbrick houses Both flat and pitched roofs Broken figurines

Plakias

Stone tools dating to 130,000BP found at coastal site of plakias Earliest known boat in the world-10,000 BC

Nea Nikomedeia

The Early Neolithic settlement of Nea Nikomedeia is located some 2 km from the village itself. It is one of the earliest known sites in Macedonia, dated to 6250-6050 BC, it may have had a population of up to 500 - 700.

Megaron

The large reception hall and throne room in a Mycenaean palace, fronted by an open, two-columned porch.

Central Court

The large square paved area central to Minoan palace architecture, probably used for various public or semi-public rituals and feasts.

West Court

The larger court at Knossos at the west entrance to the palace complex, delineated by three paved pathways in the shape of a triangle. The stadium-style seating and altars indicate that it was used for ceremonial religious purposes.

Upper Paleolithic

The last part (10,000 to 40,000 years ago) of the Old Stone Age, featuring tool industries characterized by long slim blades and an explosion of creative symbolic forms.

Neopalatial Period

The period of the new or second palaces of Minoan Crete, corresponding roughly with 17th and 16th centuries BCE.

Cycladic

The prehistoric art of the Aegean Islands around Delos, excluding Crete.

Pre-Palatial Period

The prepalatial period is a broad time period, spanning from approximately 7000 B.C.E. to 1900 B.C.E., and is itself divided into neolithic, early prepalatial, and late prepalatial sections.

saliagos culture

The settlement is dated to the middle to late Neolithic period. Radiocarbon dating has indicated a period from 5000 to 4500 BC. The site was excavated during the years 1964-65 by John Davies Evans and Colin Renfrew from the British School at Athens. fat butt pottery

Lerna

Well-documented stratigraphic sequence EH IIA into MH period EH II-III divided into four phases Massive fortification walls begun in EH IIA, two parallel walls divided into rooms; towers, gateway and staircases Corridor house dating to EH IIB phase Corridor houses First monumental architecture on the mainland Function? Public building? Private residence? Existence of a number of houses perhaps indicated several chiefdoms coexisted, focused on larger settlements that controlled smaller sites within region

House Tombs

at mochlos, look like homes

maisons-ateliers

attested in minoan communities; workshops specializes in particular crafts or more than one

askos

bag

Archanes

burial in knossos

ashlar masonry

carefully cut and grooved stones that support a building without the use of concrete or other kinds of masonry

poros (crete)

central crete, with knossos lots of cycladic pottery; sauce boats

chalice

cup

Conical cups

cups with cones

Pyrgos Ware

dark grey burnished ware

agios onouphrios ware

dark on light ware

"coming of the greeks"

early helladic period

uri firnis ware

early minoan II

frying pan

eutresis culture, cycladic pottery, early bronze age cycladic

early helladic II cultures

eutresis, tsoungiza, lerna, tiryns

steatopygous

fat butt

knossos EM II building under west court

feasting and west court

chalandriani cemetery

figurines found in cemetery

knossos-pre and protopalatial history

kouloures, theatral areas, west courts, Number of sondages conducted at palace at knossos and nearby southwest house--revealed significant feasting deposits Hundreds of relatively complete vessels and small finds: cups, bridge-spouted jars Suggests conspicuous consumption, "patron-rule" feasting where palatial elite serves as patron; unreciprocated hospitality on par of participants

Skeumorph

mimic metal, stone, basketry in protopalatial period

middle minoan

minoan palaces

Corridor House

monumental building type characteristic of the Early Helladic II period on the Greek mainland. The function is debated, but it likely represents some degree of social hierarchy within contemporary society and may be the seat of a local chief. Alternatively, it may be a meeting place for the community or even a larger region.

light well

openings in the roof to allow light to enter room; Palace of Minos at Knossos

kamres cave

pilgrimage location large amount of pottery votives

Kernos

pottery ring or stone tray to which are attached several small vessels for holding offerings

Malia

same as knossos

depas

two handled cup

Peak Sanctuary

type of Minoan cult site located on the tops of mountains; characterized by minimal architecture and votives often in the form of terracotta figurines.

seal

used to seal jars

Beaked Jug (Kamares Ware)

white on dark painted style begins in EM III

pier-and-door partition

•1700-1400 BC •Crete •This style of architecture is typical of Minoan design. This principle allowed for more flexibility in the size of the room.

Tripartite Shrine

•1700-1400 BC •Knossos Palace •Main sanctuary at Knossos. Snake goddesses were found in the treasury of the shrine.