The Bronze-Iron Age transition in Achaea, western Greece : continuity and change from the 12th to the 8th century BC
Achaea in the Northwest Peloponnese presents unique opportunities for the study of the Late Bronze-Iron Age transition in Western Greece. During the 12th century BC, its archaeological record suggests the existence of a thriving network of sites, with a high concentration in Western Achaea, whose elites propagated their warlike ethos in the funerary record and were able to nurture and sustain interregional and overseas contacts long after the demise of the palatial economies. The beginning of the Iron Age saw the disappearance of the conditions that prompted these developments, and brought drastic changes to burial customs and settlement patterns, with the shift of the regional centre of gravity towards Northeast Achaea. By the 8th century new political economies and social dynamics are manifested in the growth of local cult-sites. The present study explores these issues through the examination of the published settlement, funerary, and ceramic evidence. It also considers Achaea's position in the wider context of Western Greece, through the lasting interactions visible in the ceramic production. Moreover, it addresses the character of the Achaean engagement in the communication networks towards the West, and
Marini, Christina
Aegean Archaeology
The Bronze-Iron Age transition in Achaea, western Greece : continuity and change from the 12th to the 8th century BC. Achaea in the Northwest Peloponnese presents unique opportunities for the study of the Late Bronze-Iron Age transition in Western Greece. During the 12th century BC, its archaeological record suggests the existence of a thriving network of sites, with a high concentration in Western Achaea, whose elites propagated their warlike ethos in the funerary record and were able to nurture and sustain interregional and overseas contacts long after the demise of the palatial economies. The beginning of the Iron Age saw the disappearance of the conditions that prompted these developments, and brought drastic changes to burial customs and settlement patterns, with the shift of the regional centre of gravity towards Northeast Achaea. By the 8th century new political economies and social dynamics are manifested in the growth of local cult-sites. The present study explores these issues through the examination of the published settlement, funerary, and ceramic evidence. It also considers Achaea's position in the wider context of Western Greece, through the lasting interactions visible in the ceramic production. Moreover, it addresses the character of the Achaean engagement in the communication networks towards the West, and
bronze_iron_age transition western greece continuity_change northwest peloponnese present_unique opportunity_study late_bronze iron_age transition western greece archaeological_record suggest existence network site high concentration western whose elite propagate ethos funerary record able nurture sustain interregional overseas contact long demise palatial economy begin iron_age saw disappearance condition prompt development bring change burial custom settlement_pattern shift regional centre gravity towards northeast new political_economy social_dynamic manifest growth local cult sites present_study explore issue examination publish settlement funerary ceramic_evidence also_consider position wider_context western greece last interaction visible ceramic_production moreover address character engagement communication_network towards west