Supervisors info:
Ελευθέριος Πλάτων, Αναπληρωτής Καθηγητής Προϊστορικής Αρχαιολογίας, Τμήμα Ιστορίας και Αρχαιολογίας του Εθνικού και Καποδιστριακού Πανεπιστημίου Αθηνών.
Ελένη Μαντζουράνη, Καθηγήτρια Προϊστορικής Αρχαιολογίας, Τμήμα Ιστορίας και Αρχαιολογίας του Εθνικού και Καποδιστριακού Πανεπιστημίου.
Ιωάννης Παπαδάτος, Επίκουρος Καθηγητής Προϊστορικής Αρχαιολογίας, Τμήμα
Ιστορίας και Αρχαιολογίας του Εθνικού και Καποδιστριακού Πανεπιστημίου Αθηνών.
Summary:
The project under the title "Rock crystal in Minoan Crete: Sources, Diffusion and Use" is about the applications of Rock crystal in Minoan society, in the Prepalatial, Protopalatial, Neopalatial and Postpalatial periods and the available resources of the mineral on the island. A representative list of the objects made of rock crystal is presented in the project, with the objects being examined based on their chronology and their recovery site. Their distribution in types of establishments and their geographical allocations are presented too.
Rock Crystal is the pure and totally transparent form of quartz, characterized by its particular hardness, transparency, shine, and virtual magnifying and ignition qualities. In the Prepalatial period, the material has been discovered in a domestic context and was used as a tool. During this period the production of some small objects was on a local level. Later, during the Neopalatial period, rock crystal was included in the crafter’s equipment, as part of a more massive production. In addition, as part of technological innovation and artisan development, lenticular convex objects were created to make use of the magnification and ignition qualities of the stone.
The particularly attractive appearance and the magical properties attributed to rock crystal, corresponded to the presumptive aesthetic needs of the high social classes. The physical characteristics of the stone, combined with the possible difficulty of obtaining large pieces for the production of complex and large objects, which would demand high technical skills and consumption of human and material resources, were used to enhance social prestige, from Prepalatial to the Postpalatial period. Thus, in the Neopalatial Period, in addition to the more practical use of rock crystal, a large amount of decorative objects, distributed within the palaces, represent a group of high-value artifacts moving within the economic network of palatial power and affluent social groups; are obtained either as gifts, originating from the royal yards of the eastern Mediterranean, or through commercial activities.
In some cases, especially in Neopalatial period, rock crystal was deposited in contexts of a religious-ceremonial character. Α tradition is being created especially regarding The Idaion cave and the surrounding area, where the first findings are dated in the Old Palace period and are probably increasing during the New Palace period.
In the Postpalatial period, the intense dispersion of simplified objects suits the distribution of power and expresses a status of competition and decentralization. The material, despite its diffusion in rich burial ensembles spread throughout Crete, is limited to beads, deposited amongst others, often richer grave offerings. The peculiarity and symbolism of the material may have been weakened, within a context of redefining identities and introducing new ideas.
Keywords:
Quartz, Rock crystal, workshops, use, Bronze Age, Crete.