Settlement and Social Trends in the Argolid and the Methana Peninsula, 1200 – 900 BC.

Catherine (Katie) Lantzas University of Sheffield 2010 (Nov. 19th)

Description: One volume, 264 p., colour and black and white figures, maps and tables

Country: United Kingdom

Supervisor: Prof. John Bennet

Other supervisors: Dr Susan Sherratt

Examiners: Prof. Chris Mee & Dr Jane Rempel

Abstract

The central concern of my research is the ideology and socio-economic practices of the communities in the Argolid and the Methana Peninsula that existed during approximately 1200 BC through 900 BC. A thorough examination of mortuary practices, the built environment, ceramic material and metal objects demonstrate that during this transitional period an ideological shift took place alongside complex socio-economic developments. An analysis of the material evidence does not indicate poverty and disorganisation as has been previously argued. Rather, it illustrates the active formation of a new ideology and socio-economic practices that privileged the individual and the domestic unit over the larger corporate group.

I begin by briefly presenting the geographic and research background for these two regions. I then discuss how the concept of a Greek ‘Dark Ages’ came in to being and why it is no longer a relevant or useful term.

My analyses of the mortuary evidence and built environment demonstrate that, following the collapse of the Mycenaean palatial administration, the remaining communities maintained and developed practices that promoted the individual or the domestic unit. Analysis of specific examples from the ceramic material and metal objects dating to this period are used to discuss specific activities, such as production and exchange. Evidence from this data illustrates that these activities had, in all probability, taken place outside the direct control of the Mycenaean palatial administration and continued without substantial interruption throughout this period.

This re-appraisal of the material culture dating from the Late Helladic IIIB 2 through Early Geometric period combines new theoretical approaches to collapsed societies and, rather than simply presenting a catalogue of archaeological remains, attempts to reconstruct the ideology and socio-economic practices of Iron Age communities in the Argolid and the Methana Peninsula.

Table of Contents

List of Figures

List of Tables

Acknowledgements

Abstract

Chapter one: Introduction [1]

1.2 Geographical Background [3]

1.2.1 The Argolid [4]

1.2.2 The Methana Peninsula [9]

1.3 Conclusions [11]

Chapter Two: Historical Conceptions of the ‘Dark Age’ [12]

2.1 Introduction [12]

2.2 The Periodisation of History and the Creation of the Dark Age [13]

2.3 Classics, Modern Greek History and Dark Age Greece [16]

2.4 The Term Dark Age [18]

2.5 The Process of Collapse [19]

2.6 Collapse and the Dark Age [20]

2.7 Traditional Definitions of the Greek Dark Age [21]

2.8 Dark Age Case Studies [26]

2.8.1 The Dark Age of Greece [27]

2.8.2 First Intermediate Period Egypt [28]

2.8.3 The Maya Collapse [29]

2.8.4 The Early Middle Ages [30]

2.8.5 Summary [31]

2.9 Conclusions [32]

Chapter Three: Modelling Change from the Bronze Age to Iron Age [35]

3.1 Introduction [35]

3.2 Ideology, Practice and the Material Record [35]

3.3 Mycenaean Palatial Ideology and Practices [36]

3.4 Iron Age Communities: A Model for Ideology and Practices [38]

3.5 Conclusions [40]

Chapter Four: Mortuary Contexts and Practices [41]

4.1 Introduction [41]

4.1.2 Mycenaean Mortuary Practices [42]

4.1.3 Terminology and Methodology [43]

4.2 Data [45]

4.2.1 Prosymna [52]

4.2.2 Dendra/ Midea [55]

4.2.3 Mycenae [57]

4.2.4 Tiryns/ Profitis ilias [63]

4.2.5 Asine [65]

4.2.6 Argos [68]

4.2.7 Summary [71]

4.3 Cumulative Mortuary Contexts vs. Individual Mortuary Contexts [71]

4.4 Vessel Inhumations [76]

4.5 Cremation [79]

4.6 Conclusions [83]

Chapter Five: The Built Environment [84]

5.1 Introduction [84]

5.1.2 Architecture and Ideology: Before ‘The Collapse’ [85]

5.2 Methodology [86]

5.3 Data [87]

5.3.1 Argos [92]

5.3.2 Asine [93]

5.3.3 Midea [103]

5.3.4 Mycenae [109]

5.3.5 Tiryns [118]

5.4 Analysis [130]

5.5 Conclusions [133]

Chapter Six: Ceramic Material [135]

6.1 Introduction [135]

6.1.2 Ceramic Production as Organised by the Palatial Administration [136]

6.1.2 Storage as Organised by the Palatial Administration [139]

6.2 Methodology [140]

6.3 Data [142]

6.3.1 Kylikes [147]

6.3.2 Stirrup Jars [148]

6.3.3 Pictorial Vessels [151]

6.3.4 Pithoi [153]

6.3.5 Summary [154]

6.4 Iron Age Ceramic Production [155]

6.5 Storage as Organised by Iron Age Communities [158]

6.6 Conclusions [160]

Chapter Seven: Metal Objects [163]

7.1 Introduction [163]

7.1.2 Metalworking as Organised by the Palatial Administration [164]

7.2 Methodology [166]

7.3 Data [167]

7.3.1 Summary [178]

7.4 The Values of Metal [179]

7.5 Economic Aspects: Production, Exchange and Deposition of Metals [181]

7.5.1 Production [181]

7.5.2 Exchange [183 ]

7.5.3 Deposition [185]

7.6 Conclusions [190]

Chapter Eight: Conclusions [192]

Appendix One: Map and Catalogue of Sites

Appendix Two: Catalogue of Mortuary Contexts

Bibliography