Asty and chora in early Lesbos
The thesis is an archaeological study of the island of Lesbos, with emphasis upon the central settlement of the Greek polis (the asty) and the surrounding territory of each city (the chora). Chapter 1 offers an introductory overview of the physical constitution of the island. Chapter 2 considers the development through the Dark Age and Archaic periods of the settlements which became the central asty of the poleis in Lesbos. Chapter 3 focuses on the chora of the poleis in early Lesbos, examining a series of towers and enclosures of Lesbian polygonal masonry. Detailed treatment is given to the style of masonry employed in order to give indications about the likely date of the structures. The social angle is also examined, exploring the possible group identity and social definition in the chora, and the other roles played out by the structures. Possible implications to be drawn from the lack of similar structures in the chora of the polis of Mytilene are considered. Both discussions in Chapters 2 and 3 are contextualised with other regional/island surveys to explore points of similarity or difference between Lesbos and the rest of Greece. -- The conclusions of the two studies are then summarised, drawn together,
Spencer, Nigel
Asty and chora in early Lesbos. The thesis is an archaeological study of the island of Lesbos, with emphasis upon the central settlement of the Greek polis (the asty) and the surrounding territory of each city (the chora). Chapter 1 offers an introductory overview of the physical constitution of the island. Chapter 2 considers the development through the Dark Age and Archaic periods of the settlements which became the central asty of the poleis in Lesbos. Chapter 3 focuses on the chora of the poleis in early Lesbos, examining a series of towers and enclosures of Lesbian polygonal masonry. Detailed treatment is given to the style of masonry employed in order to give indications about the likely date of the structures. The social angle is also examined, exploring the possible group identity and social definition in the chora, and the other roles played out by the structures. Possible implications to be drawn from the lack of similar structures in the chora of the polis of Mytilene are considered. Both discussions in Chapters 2 and 3 are contextualised with other regional/island surveys to explore points of similarity or difference between Lesbos and the rest of Greece. -- The conclusions of the two studies are then summarised, drawn together,
early archaeological_study island emphasis_upon central settlement greek_polis surround territory city offer introductory overview physical constitution island considers development dark_age archaic_period settlement become_central poleis focus poleis early examine series tower enclosures masonry detailed treatment give style masonry employ_order give indication likely date structure social angle also_examine explore possible group_identity social definition role_play structure possible implication draw lack similar structure polis consider discussion contextualised regional island survey explore point similarity_difference rest greece conclusion study summarise drawn together