Minoan pre-palatial sealstones in their economic and social context : a study based on the new material from Archanes-Phourni
Sealstones are one of the most important types of artifacts discovered in the Aegean Bronze Age. Their practical use for recording and administrating purposes, their association with identity, prestige and social status, their possible religious or ritual connotations speak clearly for their importance and value. The fact that they are deposited, among other artifacts in tombs, accompanying their owners, demonstrate this value not only in life but also in death. Especially in the pre-palatial period in Crete a large number of seals have come to light, coming mostly from mixed contexts in the Mesara and Asterousia, in south Crete. The Minoan pre-palatial sealstones from Archanes-Phourni comprise an important corpus of artifacts for many reasons. They come from a site in the North of the island, in contrast to the majority of pre-palatial seals. The excavation and recording techniques used offer the opportunity to study the seals in their context, which is dated with relative certainty. The study of these seals, in comparison with the published ones from the south of the island, may offer significant information about important aspects of life in this period. The examination of materials, shapes, motifs, style
Karytinos, Alexios
Aegean Bronze Age; Artifacts
Minoan pre-palatial sealstones in their economic and social context : a study based on the new material from Archanes-Phourni. Sealstones are one of the most important types of artifacts discovered in the Aegean Bronze Age. Their practical use for recording and administrating purposes, their association with identity, prestige and social status, their possible religious or ritual connotations speak clearly for their importance and value. The fact that they are deposited, among other artifacts in tombs, accompanying their owners, demonstrate this value not only in life but also in death. Especially in the pre-palatial period in Crete a large number of seals have come to light, coming mostly from mixed contexts in the Mesara and Asterousia, in south Crete. The Minoan pre-palatial sealstones from Archanes-Phourni comprise an important corpus of artifacts for many reasons. They come from a site in the North of the island, in contrast to the majority of pre-palatial seals. The excavation and recording techniques used offer the opportunity to study the seals in their context, which is dated with relative certainty. The study of these seals, in comparison with the published ones from the south of the island, may offer significant information about important aspects of life in this period. The examination of materials, shapes, motifs, style
minoan pre palatial economic_social context study_base new material one_important type artifact discover aegean_bronze_age practical use record purpose association identity prestige social_status possible religious_ritual connotation speak clearly importance value fact deposit among artifact tomb accompany owner value life also death especially pre palatial_period crete large_number seal come_light come mostly mixed context south crete minoan pre palatial comprise important corpus artifact many reason come site north island contrast majority pre palatial seal excavation_record technique_use offer_opportunity study seal context dated relative certainty study seal comparison publish south island may offer significant information important_aspect life period examination material shape motif style