Knossos: From First to Second Palace: An Integrated Ceramic, Stratigraphic, and Architectural Study

This volume presents the pottery from a series of deposits excavated by Sir Arthur Evans in the palace at Knossos and assigned to the last part of the Middle Bronze Age or Middle Minoan III. The architectural modifications seen in this period are examined along with stratigraphy to give proper context to the pottery deposits. The investigation confirms that it is possible to distinguish between MM IIIA and MM IIIB, and between early and late MM IIIA, and highlights the functions of the palace at this time, with a plethora of conical cups and very few fine tablewares suggesting particular kinds of feasting, and a large number of imported transport and storage wares from off-island locales in the Aegean.

Format: Hardback
Length: 238 pages
Publication date: 31 January 2023
Publisher: British School at Athens

This volume presents a comprehensive examination of the pottery found during excavations conducted by Sir Arthur Evans at the palace of Knossos in Crete. As assigned by Evans, this pottery belongs to the latter part of the Middle Bronze Age or Middle Minoan III period. The book delves into the significant architectural modifications observed during this time, alongside stratigraphic analysis, to provide a proper context for the study of the pottery deposits.

Middle Minoan III marked a significant era in the history of Knossos, as it witnessed the palace's expansion across Crete. This expansion began during the First Palace Period, when palaces like Malia and Phaistos rivaled Knossos in grandeur. However, as time progressed, Knossos's influence waned, and smaller palaces were constructed. These changes unfolded over the course of the Middle Minoan III period, which Evans divided into two sub-phases: MM IIIA and MM IIIB.

Evans utilized numerous palatial deposits to define these phases, but unfortunately, he did not present the pottery, stratigraphy, and architecture in their entirety. This lack of comprehensive presentation led to some ambiguity regarding the period's status. To address this issue, this detailed study revisits more than a dozen of these contexts, providing a more solid foundation for the phasing and interpretation of the Middle Minoan III palace.

The investigation confirms that it is possible to distinguish between MM IIIA and MM IIIB, as well as between early and late MM IIIA. This distinction enables a more nuanced understanding of the significant changes in architecture and material culture that took place during this period. Furthermore, ceramic analysis sheds light on the functions of the palace at this time. The presence of a plethora of conical cups and a limited number of fine tablewares suggests particular types of feasting, while the abundance of imported transport and storage wares from off-island locales in the Aegean, such as the Cyclades, Dodecanese, and coastal Anatolia, indicates a level of connectivity and exchange that was previously unknown.

Overall, this volume offers a valuable contribution to our understanding of the Middle Minoan III period, providing a comprehensive examination of the pottery, architecture, and stratigraphy of the palace at Knossos. It sheds light on the significant changes that took place during this time and contributes to our broader knowledge of ancient Crete.

Weight: 1168g
Dimension: 218 x 305 x 25 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780904887747