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Cultural identity in Minoan Crete : social dynamics in the Neo-Palatial period / Ellen Adams, King's College London

Author
Adams, Ellen
Published
Cambridge, United Kingdom : Cambridge University Press, 2017.
Physical Description
1 online resource
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Contents
Cover -- Half-title page -- Title page -- Copyright page -- Contents -- List of Figures -- List of Tables -- Preface -- Chapter One Introduction -- Neopalatial Crete -- Chronological Frameworks -- The Role of Knossos: Cultural to Political -- Modes of Centralization in Neopalatial Crete -- The Role of Ritual and Cult in Neopalatial Crete -- Organization of This Book -- Chapter Two The Background to Neopalatial Crete -- The Discovery of the Minoans -- The Formation of Modern Crete -- History of Excavations, Arthur Evans, â#x80;#x98;the First Stepping-Stone of European Civilizationâ#x80;#x99;, and Cretan IdentityThe Protopalatial Background -- State Formation -- Protopalatial Palaces, Ritual Sites, and Culture -- The Past in the Past: Looking Back at the Protopalatial Period -- Conclusion -- Chapter Three Elite Architecture and Artefacts -- Introduction -- Defining the Palaces -- Courts and Theatral Areas -- Urban Shrines -- Formal Halls -- Lustral Basins -- Ritual and Prestige Artefacts and Symbols -- Figurines -- Libation Tables and Vessels -- Horns of Consecration, Double AxeConclusion -- Chapter Four Palaces and Their Context -- Introduction -- Knossos -- Approaching the Palace -- The Functions of the Palace -- The Knossian Town -- The Regional Picture -- Galatas -- Malia -- Approaching the Palace -- The Functions of the Palace -- The Malian Town -- The Regional Picture -- Phaistos -- Approaching the Palace -- The Functions of the Palace -- The Phaistian Town and Region -- Zakros -- Approaching the Palace -- The Functions of the Palace -- The Zakrian Town -- The Regional Picture -- Petras, ConclusionChapter Five Other Settlements and Regional Groupings -- North-Central Crete -- Harbours around Knossos -- Nirou Chani -- Tylissos -- Archanes -- Vathypetro -- Kastelli -- The Regional Picture -- The West -- Chania -- The Mesara -- Ayia Triada -- Kommos -- The Regional Picture (and Knossos) -- The South Coast -- Myrtos-Pyrgos -- Makrygialos -- The Regional Picture -- Mirabello Bay Area -- Gournia -- Pseira -- Mochlos -- The Regional Picture -- The East (North and Central) -- Palaikastro -- Villas of Eastern Crete, and The Regional PictureConclusion -- Chapter Six The Ritual Landscape and Extra-urban Sanctuaries -- Introduction -- Peak Sanctuaries -- Ritual Caves -- Identifying Extra-urban Sanctuaries: Challenges and Criteria -- Extra-urban Sanctuaries -- North-Central Crete: Juktas and Surrounding Area -- Psychro, Phaneromeni, the Idaean, and Kamares Caves -- The West: Vrysinas, Patsos, and Mameloukos -- The South: Kato Syme, Tsoutsouros, and Kophinas -- The East: Petsophas and Traostalos -- Discussion -- The Social Role of Extra-urban Sanctuaries: Previous Scholarship
Summary
Neopalatial Crete - the 'Golden Age' of the Minoan Civilization - possessed palaces, exquisite artefacts, and iconography with pre-eminent females. While lacking in fortifications, ritual symbolism cloaked the island, an elaborate bureaucracy logged transactions, and massive storage areas enabled the redistribution of goods. We cannot read the Linear A script, but the libation formulae suggest an island-wide koine. Within this cultural identity, there is considerable variation in how the Minoan elites organized themselves and others on an intra-site and regional basis. This book explores and celebrates this rich, diverse and dynamic culture through analyses of important sites, as well as Minoan administration, writing, economy and ritual. Key themes include the role of Knossos in wider Minoan culture and politics, the variable modes of centralization and power relations detectable across the island, and the role of ritual and cult in defining and articulating elite control.
Subject(s)
ISBN
9781108202770 (electronic bk.)
1108202772 (electronic bk.)
1108201571
9781108201575
Bibliography Note
Includes bibliographical references and index.
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