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  • Open Daily: 10am - 10pm
    Alley-side Pickup: 10am - 7pm

    3038 Hennepin Ave Minneapolis, MN
    612-822-4611

Open Daily: 10am - 10pm | Alley-side Pickup: 10am - 7pm
3038 Hennepin Ave Minneapolis, MN
612-822-4611
The Troubled Island: Minoan Crete Before and After the Santorini Eruption

The Troubled Island: Minoan Crete Before and After the Santorini Eruption

Driessen, J.
MacDonald, C. F.

Paperback

Series: Aegaeum (Annales d'Archéologie Égéenne de l'Université de Liège Et Ut-Pasp), Book 17

ArchaeologyAncient Greece

Currently unavailable to order

ISBN10: 9042924160
ISBN13: 9789042924161
Publisher: Peeters
Published: Jun 23 2020
Pages: 284
Weight: 1.72
Height: 0.70 Width: 8.00 Depth: 11.30
Language: English
Our thesis is that the archaeological evidence suggests a severe economicdislocation during the Late Minoan IB ceramic period in Crete. Thisappears to have been triggered, first by a tectonic earthquake and shortlyafterwards by the eruption of Thera early in the Late Bronze Age (LateMinoan IA) after which the situation gradually worsened, accompanied by ageneral feeling of uncertainty caused by the eruption and its effects. Thetectonic earthquake led to abandonments at some sites or an effort torebuild in attempt to re-establish normal economic and social life. Theresult of these two natural disasters gave local centers greaterindependence from the traditional Palaces. This fragmentation of MinoanCrete brought about the end of the most highly developed economic systemin the Aegean although it was somewhat resurrected in the followingMycenaean period. The natural events which proved to be the catalystsfor change, presaged the end of the traditional ruling elites whichappeared to have lost their assumed divine support. They tried in vain tomaintain their special status, but with major problems in food productionand distribution, the existing system disintegrated resulting in a processof decentralisation with an increase in the regional exploitation of landchiefly for local consumption; numerous lesser elites may well haveprospered in this environment. However, as in the Hellenistic period, thefragmentation of Crete into many small centres may have led to internalCretan conflict and a massive wave of fire destructions in Late Minoan IB, indicating a state of anarchy by the end of the period. That Mycenaeansfrom Mainland Greece arrived on the island at some stage during the LateBronze Age is clear, although precisely when they arrived is a matter offierce debate. The crisis years of LM IB-II, in the fifteenth centuryB.C., appear the most likely and opportune. During the succeedingMycenaean period, only the Palace at Knossos seems to have functioned asa major centre. During LM II-III, there was a gradual but general decreasein the sophistication of architecture and arts. The LM II period mayperhaps be regarded as the final phase of decline which began in LM IB, with some major centres suffering destructions once again. By Late MinoanII, a new Knossian elite or dynasty appears to have taken control andinstalled a modified socio-political and economic system. The dynastyrelied heavily on administration and bureaucraty to maintain its position.
The Santorini eruption is here given the role of a precipitantor catalyst, which began an entire series of changes which eventuallyresulted in the absorption of Minoan Crete into the Mycenaean, andultimately, the Greek world.

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