Supervisors info:
Ιωάννης Παπαδάτος, Επίκουρος Καθηγητής Προϊστορικής Αρχαιολογίας, Τμήμα Ιστορίας και Αρχαιολογίας, ΕΚΠΑ
Αφροδίτη Χασιακού, Λέκτορας Προϊστορικής Αρχαιολογίας, Τμήμα Ιστορίας και Αρχαιολογίας, ΕΚΠΑ
Ελευθέριος Πλάτων, Αναπληρωτής Καθηγητής Προϊστορικής Αρχαιολογίας, Τμήμα Ιστορίας και Αρχαιολογίας, ΕΚΠΑ
Summary:
This paper will examine the Minoan influences in the Dodecanesean area, while at the same time present the various views that have emerged regarding Minoanisation. Chronologically, the analysis will focus on the Middle and Late Bronze Age (MBA II - LBA IA), a period where the Minoan presence is manifest throughout the entire Aegean.
By examining the elements present in the Southeastern Aegean, the aim is to reveal the different degrees at which the Minoan influence spread across each of the Aegean islands, and also to present the various views and perspectives that have arisen regarding Minoanisation. On a second level, the paper will discuss to what extent the observed changes are due to internal processes, to external factors - including the case of an alleged "Minoan colonization" - or to a combination of the above.
In order to achieve this goal, this paper will examine each of the -eleven- islands separately, starting from those situated most south and closest to Crete i.e. starting from Kasos and Karpathos, and moving gradually north, ending with Kalymnos and Patmos. At the same time observations will be made as to whether the location of each island – whether they are closer to or farther from Crete – plays a role in and of itself, or in combination with other factors, in the distribution of Minoanising features.
For many decades both excavations and archaeological research on the Bronze Age in the Southeastern Aegean have been limited, while the evidence for the smaller islands is derived mainly from surveys. Therefore, what this paper aims to study, is to examine the relationships between the islands-societies of the South-East Aegean and of Crete during the Middle and Later Bronze Age, is quite a difficult undertaking; the reason being , that the existing research is focused mainly on the Cyclades and on mainland Greece.
The paper consists of a total of four chapters. In the introduction the author analyzes the phenomenon of Minoanisation and its theoretical implications. Following this, the problems of conducting research in the Southeastern Aegean, as well the methodology to be applied, are presented. The next chapter presents eleven islands in the Dodecanese with Minoan influences. Prior to the conclusion, the author discusses from a chronological perspective the situation prevalent on each island, in light of the spread of Minoan cultural diacritics beyond their regions, starting from MBA II moving to LBA I and ending with the LBA II period. Finally, the author offers some concluding remarks on the basis of the data and evidence provided.
Keywords:
LBA I, Dodecanese, Crete, Minoanisation, Minoan influence
