The Minoanisation of the Southern Aegean : a comparative approach through ceramic assemblages

• Main Author: Berg, I.
• Published: University of Cambridge 2000
• Subjects: 930.1
• Online Access: http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.596585

Settlements in the Southern Aegean show a dramatic increase of Minoan imports and local imitations from the Middle to the early Late Bronze Age period. This phenomenon has been called 'Minoanisation'. The evidence of Minoanisation and the ensuring scholarly debate about the meaning of this observed cultural change are discussed in this work. It shall be suggested that current models are no longer applicable: they focus on the wider region rather than individual sites, they cannot incorporate the great diversity of evidence in local responses to Minoan influence, and they are descriptive rather than explanatory. Instead, a new, flexible model of cultural interaction will be presented. By working progressively from the local to a regional perspective, Minoanisation can be investigated from a variety of angles. Innovation, acculturation, trade and world-systems theory are drawn upon. Ceramics from five assemblages, with particular emphasis on Phylakopi, are examined to demonstrate the explanatory potential of new model. An analysis of the local situation of Phylakopi demonstrates that its pottery production was conceptually divided into two traditions, one maintaining indigenous features and the other employing Minoan shapes and decorations. Rather than selecting individual Minoan elements and incorporating them into their pottery production, Melian potters produced exact copies. The distinction between the two types of pottery at Phylakopi is explained as indicative of the Melians overall insistence on local values and traditions. At Ayia Irini, on the other hand, one can observe an overwhelming acceptance of Minoan features. Other Aegean settlements lie between these two poles. Each site will be shown to be actively involved in determining its own degree of Minoanisation. Social and political factors shall be seen to be at play. While competition between Crete and the Mainland forced smaller sites into relative unimportance, the latter were nevertheless able to operate within given constraints on a local level.