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Chapter 12 - Artworks in Context

The Historical Framework

from Part III - Aegean Art in the Cretan First Palace Period

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  19 May 2022

Jean-Claude Poursat
Translated by
Carl Knappett
Jean-Claude Poursat
Affiliation:
University of Clermont-Ferrand
Carl Knappett
Affiliation:
University of Toronto
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Summary

The transition from Early to Middle Bronze Age, around 2100 bc, is characterised by an apparent decline on the mainland and in the Cyclades. By contrast, Crete undergoes a rapid evolution at the beginning of the Middle Minoan (MM) period which results most spectacularly in the appearance of monumental buildings that are seats of political power. At Knossos, Phaistos, and Malia, where urban agglomerations replace the villages of the Early Bronze Age (EBA), buildings of original and complex design – the palaces – are built, probably during MM IA (2100–2000 bc), and in MM IB at the latest. The so-called First Palace period (Protopalatial) thus corresponds to the first phases of the Middle Bronze Age (from MM IB to IIB), from c.2000 to around 1700 bc. Absolute chronology is based on synchronisms with the Egyptian and Anatolian civilisations, dated through texts containing kinglists.

Type
Chapter
Information
The Art and Archaeology of the Aegean Bronze Age
A History
 , pp. 83 - 86
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Print publication year: 2022

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References

Further Reading

Jones, 1999: Jones, D., Peak Sanctuaries and Sacred Caves in Minoan Crete: A Comparison of Artifacts, Jonsered.Google Scholar
McDonald, and Wilkie, 1992: McDonald, W. A., Wilkie, N. C. eds., Excavations at Nichoria in Southwest Greece. Volume II: The Bronze Age Occupation, Minneapolis, MN.Google Scholar
Nordquist, 1987: Nordquist, G. C., A Middle Helladic Village: Asine in the Argolid, Uppsala.Google Scholar
Touchais, 2010: Philippa-Touchais, A., Touchais, G., Voutsaki, S., Wright, J. eds., Mesohelladika: The Greek Mainland in the Middle Bronze Age, Athens.Google Scholar

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