Supervisors info:
Πλάτων Ελευθέριος, Επίκουρος καθηγητής Προϊστορικής Αρχαιολογίας, Τμήμα Ιστορίας και Αρχαιολογίας, ΕΚΠΑ
Μαντζουράνη Ελένη, Καθηγήτρια Προϊστορικής Αρχαιολογίας, Τμήμα Ιστορίας και Αρχαιολογίας, ΕΚΠΑ
Παπαδάτος Γιάννης, Επίκουρος Καθηγητής Προϊστορικής Αρχαιολογίας, Τμήμα Ιστορίας και Αρχαιολογίας, ΕΚΠΑ
Summary:
This paper is concerned with the styles of pottery production in some Eastern Crete sites during the Neopalatial period. The main purpose of this essay is to identify local features in pottery, to determine pottery workshops, based on style, and to investigate their social significance in this particular historical context.
The theoretical background of this essay is influenced by the theories of practice and agency and is characterized by the belief that styles consist of processes, mental and manual, as well as choices of specific features, morphological, decorative, and technological, among others. This research aims to find style groups and approach the reasons behind these choices, in order to understand aspects of the social context.
The first chapter presents the geographical and chronological context, the resent views of scholars on issues of dating and socio-political organization, while is briefly referring to Special Palace Tradition. The second chapter examines the nature of pottery production by archaeological site and formulates groups and “regional” styles. The pottery examined comes from Myrtos Pyrgos, Priniatikos Pyrgos, Gournia, Mochlos, Palaikastro, Zakros, Ierapetra area, Pseira, Makrygialos, Papadiokambos, Petras, Zou, Achladia Riza, Profitis Ilias-Praissos Sitias, Vai, Karoumes and Epano Zakros. These sites are presented individually, in order to understand the local
character of pottery, according to context and the level of study and publication of each site.
Through the composition of data, in the third chapter, it is understood that the inquiry of pottery styles is multidimensional. Initialy, the examination of technological features and style in pottery allows the investigation of the nature of pottery production locally and regionally, as well as its evolution during the Neopalatial period. Particular emphasis has been placed on the connection between pottery and tradition, and the possible interpretations of this relation. Furthermore, the observation of common features between the sites may indicate “regions” in Eastern Crete, which may reveal economic, social, political and ideological relationships. Finally, the pottery production from Eastern Crete contrasts with the basic styles of Central Crete, a key representative of Knossos, in order to investigate the degree of influence and, if possible, the form of relation between the two regions. Examining the ceramic styles at each of the above levels drives the discussion on different aspects of Minoan society, thereby contributing to their understanding.
