What are these Queer Stones? Baetyls: Epistemology of a Minoan Fetish

Sam Crooks

City: Oxford

Year: 2013

Publisher: Archaeopress

Series: BAR International Series 2511

Description: Paperback, viii & 79 p., b/w illustrations, 29,7x21 cm

Abstract

This monograph examines the aniconic cult stones, or baetyls, of the Aegean Bronze Age. Minoan baetyls are commonly understood by reference to the interpretive vocabularies of ancient Near Eastern traditions developed by comparative ethnographies popular in the early 20th century. This study presents and interrogates the Aegean evidence for baetyl cult, providing a catalogue of archaeological evidence attesting to this cultic practice. Contextual analysis provides the basis for interpreting and (re)constructing aspects of the cult. It is argued that the ambiguity inherent in these aniconic stones renders them uniquely flexible in serving multiple cultic, ritual and ideological functions across different contexts.

Contents

Abstract [i]
Acknowledgments [i]
List if Abbreviations [iv]
List of Figures [v]

CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION [1]

Introduction [1]
Geography [1]
Chronology [3]
History of Research [5]
Methodological Concerns [9]

CHAPTER 2: THE EXTANT BAETYLS [11]

2.1 Introduction [11]
2.2 The Prepalatial Period [11]

Vasiliki [11]

2.3 The Protopalatial Period [15]

Ayia Triada [15]

2.4 The Neopalatial Period [20]

Galatas [20]
Gournia [23]
Malia [28]

2.5 The Postpalatial Period [32]

Kephala Vasiliki [32]

2.6 The Late Helladic Period [37]

Phylakopi [37]

2.7 Conclusions [42]

CHAPTER 3: THE ICONOGRAPHIC EVIDENCE [43]

3.1 Introduction and Methodology [43]
3.2 Baetyls Hugged or Leant Upon [45]
3.3 Baetyls Arranged in Pairs [46]
3.4 Banded Baetyls [48]
3.5 Baetyls Associated with Built Structures [51]
3.6 The Locations of Baetyl Cult [53]
3.7 The Identities of the Figures [56]

CHAPTER 4: CONCLUDING REMARKS [59]

CHAPTER 5: CATALOGUE [61]

Biblography [69]