Unit:
Department of History and ArchaeologyLibrary of the School of Philosophy
Dissertation committee:
Γιάννης Παπαδάτος, Καθηγητής, Τμήμα Ιστορίας και Αρχαιολογίας, ΕΚΠΑ
Ελευθέριος Πλάτων, Αναπληρωτής Καθηγητής, Τμήμα Ιστορίας και Αρχαιολογίας, ΕΚΠΑ
Γιώργος Βαβουρανάκης, Καθηγητής, Τμήμα Ιστορίας και Αρχαιολογίας, ΕΚΠΑ
Κωνσταντίνος Κοπανιάς, Αναπληρωτής Καθηγητής, Τμήμα Ιστορίας και Αρχαιολογίας, ΕΚΠΑ
Ευρυδίκη Κεφαλίδου, Αναπληρώτρια Καθηγήτρια, Τμήμα Ιστορίας και Αρχαιολογίας, ΕΚΠΑ
Βασίλης Πετράκης, Επίκουρος Καθηγητής, Τμήμα Ιστορίας και Αρχαιολογίας, ΕΚΠΑ
Νικόλαος Δημάκης, Επίκουρος Καθηγητής, Τμήμα Ιστορίας και Αρχαιολογίας, ΕΚΠΑ
Original Title:
Τα μινωικά ιερά κορυφής από την Παλαιοανακτορική στη Νεοανακτορική περίοδο με βάση την κεραμική από την Παντοτινού Κορυφή και τον Σταυρωμένο Ανατολής Ιεράπετρας
Translated title:
Minoan peak sanctuaries from the Protopalatial to the Neopalatial period based on the pottery evidence from Pantotinou Koryfi and Stavromenos Anatoli, Ierapetra
Summary:
The subject of the present dissertation is the holistic study of the ceramic material from two neighboring peak sanctuaries with successive use in the region of Ierapetra, southeastern Crete, at the sites of Pantotinou Koryfi and Stavromenos Anatoli, which are dated to the Protopalatial (Middle Minoan IB – II) and Neopalatial (Middle Minoan III – Late Minoan I) periods, respectively. The study aims to reconstruct the ritual practices at each sanctuary and investigate changes in patterns from the Protopalatial to the Neopalatial period, providing insight into the evolving cult activity in the region over time. Despite the fact that peak sanctuaries are recognized as one the most distinct categories of religious sites in the Aegean region and a particular field of research of Minoan Archaeology since the mid-20th century, the proposed interpretations regarding the nature of the ritual practices are based on the study of a limited part of the excavated material, resulting in an incomplete and inadequately documented picture. A critical review of the existing literature points out, with a few exceptions, the general absence of systematic studies and publications on pottery from peak sanctuaries, as opposed to other categories of finds, particularly clay votive offerings. Taking into account the limitations of the previous research, the present dissertation takes a comprehensive approach by studying the ceramic assemblages in detail and conducting a contextual analysis of the data. The classification of the pottery was based on three main attributes: fabric, shape, and surface treatment. Macroscopic examination of the ceramic material revealed a diverse range of fabrics at each sanctuary sourced from at least four different areas in eastern Crete. Typological analysis brought to light a variety of shapes associated with typical peak sanctuary activities, based on the available published evidence. Variations in the intensity/frequency of specific practices were noted between the two sites, with Stavromenos showing a greater emphasis on food preparation, probably on-site. The study further investigates the depositional processes and the spatial distribution of the ceramic material, aiming at identifying differences in ritual activity intensity across areas within each sanctuary. A comparative study of the two sanctuaries revealed a shift in ritual activity from Pantotinou Koryfi towards the neighboring site of Stavromenos during the early Neopalatial period (MM III – LM IA). The ritual activity at Stavromenos is characterized by a more massive scale and a broader geographic scope, encompassing communities along the south and north coast of the Isthmus of Ierapetra. This shift coincided with broader political, social, and economic changes in Crete at the beginning of the Neopalatial period, along with a centralization of ritual activities at peak sanctuaries under palatial control. The study suggests that the neopalatial ritual activity at the sanctuary of Stavromenos was associated with a palatial center in the region of Ierapetra, contrasting with the rural nature of the protopalatial sanctuary at Pantotinou Koryfi. Further systematic studies of the ceramic material from other peak sanctuaries can enhance our understanding of rural cult practices and reveal additional insights into the diversity of ritual activities across different sites.
Main subject category:
Archaeology
Keywords:
Peak sanctuaries, Crete, Cult, Minoan pottery, Middle Minoan period, Late Minoan period
Number of references:
248
File:
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Kalara_A._2023_PhD_Dissertation.pdf
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File access is restricted until 2026-03-14.
