Mycenaean Central Greece and the Aegean World: Palace and Province in the Late Bronze Age

1. Introduction to the region and theoretical approaches -- 2. The ethos of the sword : the creation of early Mycenaean elite culture -- 3. The role of elite networks in the Mycenaeanization of the provinces -- 4. Seals and swords and changing ideologies -- 5. Prehistoric politics : the creation of the periphery -- 6. Palatial concerns : ships and exotica -- 7. Reactions to collapse : the rise of a sailor-warrior culture -- 8. Modeling collapse and revival -- 9. Conclusions.;In this book, Kramer-Hajos examines the Euboean Gulf region in Central Greece to explain its flourishing during the post-palatial period. Providing a social and political history of the region in the Late Bronze Age, she focuses on the interactions between this 'provincial' coastal area and the core areas where the Mycenaean palaces were located. Drawing on network and agency theory, two current and highly effective methodologies in prehistoric Mediterranean archaeology, Kramer-Hajos argues that the Euboean Gulf region thrived when it was part of a decentralized coastal and maritime network, and declined when it was incorporated in a highly centralized mainland-looking network. Her research and analysis contributes new insights to our understanding of the mechanics and complexity of the Bronze Age Aegean collapse. Cover 1 Half-title page 3 Title page 5 Copyright page 6 Contents 7 List of figures 9 List of tables 11 Acknowledgments 12 1 Introduction to the region and theoretical approaches 15 The Euboean Gulf coasts and Central Greece: an overview of previous research 19 Brief gazetteer of important sites 22 The natural landscape of the Euboean Gulf area 26 Network analysis: a brief introduction 33 Agency and iconography 42 Summary 45 2 The ethos of the sword: The creation of early Mycenaean elite culture 47 Swords for heroes 47 Warrior tombs in the Euboean Gulf area 53 The warrior’s beauty 58 Chariots: part of the warrior package 60 Feasts and feasting 63 Ships and coastal raiding 64 Conclusions: The Euboean Gulf coasts in the early Mycenaean period 68 3 The role of elite networks in the Mycenaeanization of the provinces 70 Emerging centers: early Mycenaean networks 70 The microscale: pottery production at Mitrou 81 Conclusions 82 4 Seals and swords and changing ideologies 84 The creation of a small-world network in LH IIIA1 84 Changing ideologies 90 The disappearance of chariots on seals 91 Symbols of power outside the Peloponnese 98 Evidence for provincial aspirations to elite status 108 The domestication of the warrior 114 Conclusions 119 5 Prehistoric politics: The creation of the periphery 121 From maritime to land-based networks 122 Destructions and abandonment 127 Orchomenos, Gla, and the Kopais 129 Conclusions 139 6 Palatial concerns: Ships and exotica 142 Missing ship and seafaring iconography 142 Palatial monopolies on elite goods 155 Conclusions 161 7 Reactions to collapse: The rise of a sailor-warrior culture 163 Reactions against palatial domination 163 Kraters for warriors 166 The Mycenaean galley revisited 171 Weapons and armor 175 Return of the warrior tombs 177 Conclusions 179 8 Modeling collapse and revival 180 Galleys and the formation of new long-distance networks 185 Postpalatial trade 188 Conclusions 192 9 Conclusions 194 Bibliography 201 Index 221 In This Book, Kramer-hajos Examines The Euboean Gulf Region In Central Greece To Explain Its Flourishing During The Post-palatial Period. Providing A Social And Political History Of The Region In The Late Bronze Age, She Focuses On The Interactions Between This 'provincial' Coastal Area And The Core Areas Where The Mycenaean Palaces Were Located. Drawing On Network And Agency Theory, Two Current And Highly Effective Methodologies In Prehistoric Mediterranean Archaeology, Kramer-hajos Argues That The Euboean Gulf Region Thrived When It Was Part Of A Decentralized Coastal And Maritime Network, And Declined When It Was Incorporated In A Highly Centralized Mainland-looking Network. Her Research And Analysis Contributes New Insights To Our Understanding Of The Mechanics And Complexity Of The Bronze Age Aegean Collapse-- Not So Long Ago, The Euboean Gulf Area ... Was Seen As Rather Marginal To The Study Of Mycenaean Culture And Archaeology: Although The Site Of Lefkandi, Excavated In The 1960s, Had Provided Unexpected Evidence Of A Thriving Lh Iiic Settlement, Lefkandi Seemed The Exception In A Region Otherwise Unknown For Its Mycenaean Remains. In Recent Years This Has Changed, With Excavations At Mitrou Informing Us About The Earlier Mycenaean Phases, And Those At Kynos Confirming The Importance Of The Lh Iiic Period And The Transition To The Early Iron Age In The Euboean Gulf Area-- 1. Introduction To The Region And Theoretical Approaches -- 2. The Ethos Of The Sword : The Creation Of Early Mycenaean Elite Culture -- 3. The Role Of Elite Networks In The Mycenaeanization Of The Provinces -- 4. Seals And Swords And Changing Ideologies -- 5. Prehistoric Politics : The Creation Of The Periphery -- 6. Palatial Concerns : Ships And Exotica -- 7. Reactions To Collapse : The Rise Of A Sailor-warrior Culture -- 8. Modeling Collapse And Revival -- 9. Conclusions. Margaretha Kramer-hajos. Includes Bibliographical References And Index. "Not so long ago, the Euboean Gulf area ... was seen as rather marginal to the study of Mycenaean culture and archaeology: although the site of Lefkandi, excavated in the 1960s, had provided unexpected evidence of a thriving LH IIIC settlement, Lefkandi seemed the exception in a region otherwise unknown for its Mycenaean remains. In recent years this has changed, with excavations at Mitrou informing us about the earlier Mycenaean phases, and those at Kynos confirming the importance of the LH IIIC period and the transition to the Early Iron Age in the Euboean Gulf area"-- Provided by publisher