The Manufacture of Minoan Metal Vessels. Theory and Practice

Christina Clarke

City: Uppsala

Year: 2013

Publisher: Åströms Förlag

Series: Studies in Mediterranean Archaeology Pocket Book 178

Description: Ηardback, 249 p., 2 maps, 176 b/w figures, drawings, 25.7x18.3 cm

Abstract

This volume reconstructs the processes used to create Minoan hammered precious-metal and copper-alloy vessels, combining an assessment of the archaeological material with the practical application of replicated equipment and techniques. This interdisciplinary approach provides a new perspective on Minoan metallurgy and metalworkers. It has important implications for interpreting Minoan metal artefacts, metallurgical evidence, the organisation of production and the place of Minoan vessels within the broader context of contemporary societies.

Contents

Contents [ν]
List of Tables [xi]
List of Figures [xiii]
Abbreviations [xxv]
Acknowledgments [xxvii]

1. Introduction [1]

2. Minoan metal vessels [9]

2.1. The development of Minoan metal vessels [9]
2.2. Minoan vessel types and characteristics [12]

3. Modern hammered-vessel manufacture [39]

3.1. The modern vessel-making process [39]
3.2. Reconstructing the Minoan process [55]

4. Current theories on prehistoric vessel manufacture [59]

4.1. Hammering from a cast disc-billet [59]
4.2. Cast vessels [61]
4.3. Hammering a cast proto-vessel [62]
4.4. Hammering over a core [63]

5. Minoan metallurgical equipment and the vessel-making process [67]

5.1. Sourcing the metal [67]
5.2. Creating the metal blank from which a vessel can be made [68]
5.3. Annealing [78]
5.4. Shaping [78]
5.5. Finishing processes [89]
5.6. Further working [91]

6. Minoan metallurgical sites [97]

6.1. Gournia: LM IB [98]
6.2. Unexplored Mansion at Knossos: LM II [99]
6.3. Kommos southern harbour complex: MM III-LM IB [100]
6.4. Kommos houses [101]
6.5. Malia – Quartier Mu: MM II [104]
6.6. Malia – northwest quarter of the palace: MM III [106]
6.7. Mochlos settlement: pre-LM IA to LM III [106]
6.8. Mochlos Artisans’ Quarter: Final LM IB [108]
6.9. Palaikastro [109]
6.10. Poros-Katsambas [110]
6.11. Zakros: LM IB [113]
6.12. Vessel production [113]
6.13. The status of metalworkers and the organisation of production [114]

7. Individual vessels [117]

7.1. The vessels [117]
7.2. Summary [142]

8. Experimental reconstruction of Minoan vessel-making processes [145]

8.1. The vessels [145]
8.2. Equipment and materials [148]
8.3. The reconstructions [154]
8.4. Discussion [165]

9. Conclusion [169]

9.1. The Minoan vessel-making process [169]
9.2. The work practices of Minoan metalsmiths [175]
9.3. Evidence for vessel-making at Minoan sites [179]
9.4. Vessel-making equipment and vessel forms [180]
9.5. Future research [181]

A1. Appendix 1. Catalogue of Minoan metal vessels [183]

A2. Appendix 2. Metal vessel analyses [201]

A3. Appendix 3. Workshop report [209]

A3.1. Metals, equipment and tools [209]
A3.2. Experiment 1: bowl with dropped foot and out-turned rim [211]
A3.3. Experiment 2: bowl with dropped foot and caulked rim [213]
A3.4. Experiment 3: hydria [216]
A3.5. Experiment 4: copper one-handled basin (initial stages) [227]
A3.6. Experiment 5: sterling silver one-handled basin [229]
A3.7. Summary of the results [232]

Glossary [235]
Bibliography [239]