Unit:
Specialty Greek and Eastern Mediterranean Archaeology: From the Bronze Age Palaces to the Hellenistic KingdomsLibrary of the School of Philosophy
Author:
Chatzineofytou Roxani
Supervisors info:
Giorgos Vavouranakis: (Associate Professor of Prehistoric
Archaeology),
Eleni Mantzourani (Professor of Prehistoric Archaeology),
Yannis Papadatos (Associate Professor of Prehistoric Archaeology)
Original Title:
Cultural hybridization in the lbi cyclades
Translated title:
Cultural hybridization in the lbi cyclades
Summary:
Any society that comes into contact with other civilizations is bound to undergo change. Our study examines the cultural influences of the Minoan civilization on the Cyclades in the Late Bronze Age. Utilizing archaeological material evidence from the site we attempt to understand the processes and the motivation behind the infiltration of aspects of the Minoan culture on the Keian way of life. Our analysis illustrates that indeed, the Minoan civilization influenced significantly the Cycladic islands, with changes occurring in their pottery patterns, masonry work, and architectural designs. Did the Minoans impose these changes as mighty colonizers or did the indigenous population of the islands choose to emulate Cretan trends and tradition? Were the changes a byproduct of the fact that Ayia Irini was an important part of the trade route known as the Western String? And if the Keians actively sought to integrate Minoan traits into their culture and their way of living could we apply the concept of cultural hybridization to understand the underlying processes? Our study will examine the different perspectives and terms that scholars have developed in order to describe and to interpret the various degrees of Minoan presence in the Cyclades and its effect on the formation of the identity of the people of the islands.
Main subject category:
Archaeology
Keywords:
Assemblage Theory, Cyclades, Colonization, Hybridization, Material Culture, Pottery.
