Social strategies and spatial dynamics in Neopalatial Crete : an analysis of the north-central region
Since Sir Arthur Evans began excavating at the âPalace of Minosâ at Knossos in 1900, Knossos has been perceived as the ideological, cultural, and political centre of the island. In this thesis, I examine the relationship between island-wide cultural homogeneity during the Neopalatial period (<i>c</i>. 1700-1450 BC) and the assumption of political unity under Knossos. The distribution patterns of ceremonial and economic activities are examined on both intra-site and regional levels, in order to highlight the diverse types of differentiation strategies adopted by the palatial, urban, and regional elites. The few studies that have examined Neopalatial regionalism concentrate on a single activity or type of data, such as administration or architecture. In order to produce a comprehensive and contextualised picture, I have compared the distribution patterns of many kinds of evidence, such as architectural elaboration, âritualâ assemblages, the production and storage of luxury goods, the production and storage of staple goods, and administration. This north-central region was selected because it contains a wide variety of sites, including palatial sites (other than Knossos), further regional centres, smaller
Adams, E.
Social strategies and spatial dynamics in Neopalatial Crete : an analysis of the north-central region. Since Sir Arthur Evans began excavating at the âPalace of Minosâ at Knossos in 1900, Knossos has been perceived as the ideological, cultural, and political centre of the island. In this thesis, I examine the relationship between island-wide cultural homogeneity during the Neopalatial period (<i>c</i>. 1700-1450 BC) and the assumption of political unity under Knossos. The distribution patterns of ceremonial and economic activities are examined on both intra-site and regional levels, in order to highlight the diverse types of differentiation strategies adopted by the palatial, urban, and regional elites. The few studies that have examined Neopalatial regionalism concentrate on a single activity or type of data, such as administration or architecture. In order to produce a comprehensive and contextualised picture, I have compared the distribution patterns of many kinds of evidence, such as architectural elaboration, âritualâ assemblages, the production and storage of luxury goods, the production and storage of staple goods, and administration. This north-central region was selected because it contains a wide variety of sites, including palatial sites (other than Knossos), further regional centres, smaller
social strategy spatial dynamic crete analysis north_central region since sir evans begin excavate palace knossos knossos perceive ideological_cultural political centre island examine_relationship island wide cultural homogeneity period assumption political unity knossos distribution_pattern ceremonial economic_activity examine intra_site regional_level order_highlight diverse type differentiation strategy_adopt palatial urban regional elite study examine regionalism concentrate single activity type data administration architecture order_produce comprehensive contextualised picture compare distribution_pattern many kind evidence architectural elaboration ritual assemblage production storage luxury_good production storage staple good administration north_central region select contains wide_variety site_include palatial site knossos regional centre small