Mycenaean monumentality : an examination of the socio-political significance of monumental architecture in mainland Greece
This thesis is an examination of monumental architecture on the mainland of Greece during the Mycenaean period. The phenomenon of monumentality has been largely neglected within the Mycenaean context. This thesis has derived inspiration from a variety of other architectural contexts, ranging from the European Neolithic to Mediaeval British Castles, as well as broader theoretical approaches which emphasise the active nature of material culture. Within the Mycenaean world three forms of monumental architecture are discussed: stone built tholos tombs, fortifications, and palatial complexes. These architectural forms occur over a period of several centuries, spanning the period of the growth and apogee of the palatial system. Several key observations were made. A new presentation of the distribution of tholoi led to a reassessment of the current interpretation of this form as a highly charged political symbol. Tholos architecture was instead interpreted as largely of local significance within the burial community, broadly defined. The traditional interpretation of enclosure architecture in overwhelming military terms (as âfortificationsâ) was found to impose a uniformity of form and function on what was in
Jackson, V.
Mycenaean monumentality : an examination of the socio-political significance of monumental architecture in mainland Greece. This thesis is an examination of monumental architecture on the mainland of Greece during the Mycenaean period. The phenomenon of monumentality has been largely neglected within the Mycenaean context. This thesis has derived inspiration from a variety of other architectural contexts, ranging from the European Neolithic to Mediaeval British Castles, as well as broader theoretical approaches which emphasise the active nature of material culture. Within the Mycenaean world three forms of monumental architecture are discussed: stone built tholos tombs, fortifications, and palatial complexes. These architectural forms occur over a period of several centuries, spanning the period of the growth and apogee of the palatial system. Several key observations were made. A new presentation of the distribution of tholoi led to a reassessment of the current interpretation of this form as a highly charged political symbol. Tholos architecture was instead interpreted as largely of local significance within the burial community, broadly defined. The traditional interpretation of enclosure architecture in overwhelming military terms (as âfortificationsâ) was found to impose a uniformity of form and function on what was in
mycenaean monumentality examination socio_political significance monumental_architecture mainland_greece examination monumental_architecture mainland_greece mycenaean_period phenomenon monumentality largely_neglect within mycenaean context derive inspiration variety architectural context range european neolithic mediaeval british well broad_theoretical approach emphasise active nature material_culture within mycenaean_world form monumental_architecture discuss stone build tomb fortification palatial complex architectural_form occur period_span period growth apogee palatial system several_key observation_make new presentation distribution lead reassessment current interpretation form highly charge political symbol architecture instead interpret largely local significance within burial community broadly_define traditional_interpretation enclosure architecture overwhelm military term fortification find impose uniformity form_function