Minoan Chronology
The most commonly used system is a tripartite one devised by Evans and based on the stylistic changes in pottery observed at Knossos. Evans divided his material into Early, Middle and Late Minoan (usually abbreviated to EM, MM and LM) and each of these broad phases was in turn sub-divided into I, II and III. Subsequent research has led to a fine-tuning of the system and the introduction of further sub-divisions so that you can get pottery classified as LMIIIA2. The whole structure was linked to the well-known historical chronology of Egypt. Minoan pottery of a particular style might be found in the tomb of an Egyptian official who served a pharaoh whose dates are known or an Egyptian object with the inscription of a particular pharaoh might turn up in a Cretan context.
The system is not without its problems, however, and some of these are quite serious. In the first place, the sequence worked out for Knossos is not always applicable to the rest of the island—LMII pottery, for example, is exclusive to the Knossos area. Also, the major pottery phases do not always coincide with other developments in the archaeological record—the earliest palaces appear after the MMI period is well underway. So, recently, most scholars have opted for a broader system which better reflects the important social changes.
| Current Terminology |
Evans’ Pottery Styles |
Vessels |
| |
| Pre-palatial
Period |
| (c.
3300-1900 BC) |
| |
There
was a good deal of evidence of social complexity
during this period— large settlements
(some fortified), international trade and
differences in status and wealth. There
are elaborate tombs and wealthy burials
but nothing that could be described as a
palace. |
|
| |
| Early
Minoan I— |
| Middle
Minoan IA |
| |
| There
were a number of different styles of decoration,
both painted and applied, during this period
but the most distinctive is known as Vasiliki
Ware after the site where it was first identified.
The characteristic mottled effect was produced
by deliberately uneven firing of the vessel
in the kiln. The shape of the vessel shown
at right is typical of the Aegean. |
|
 |
| |
| First
Palace Period |
| (c1900-1700
BC) |
| |
| Palaces
appear at roughly the same time at a number
of different locations in Crete, apparently
in response to social and political upheavals
taking place throughout the East Mediterranean
world. |
|
| |
| Middle
Minoan IB— |
| Middle
Minoan IIIA |
| |
| During
the period of the earliest palaces, the most
easily identifiable pottery around was Kamares
Ware, named after a cave near the palace of
Phaistos, where they were first identified.
Their striking polychrome decoration, with
its vibrant clours is very easy to spot. Notice how the form
of the vessel has changed along with the surface
decoration. |
|
 |
| |
| Second
Palace Period |
| (c.
1700-1450 BC) |
| |
| All
of the old palaces in Crete were destroyed,
evidently by a particularly severe earthquake.
This event apparently did little to affect
the social order, however, and the palaces
were immediately rebuilt. |
|
| |
| Middle
Minoan IIIB— |
| Late
Minoan IB |
| |
| As
the palace period proceeds, a more naturalistic
style of decoration appears— along with
a number of new shapes, such as this 'stirrup
jar' (right). A favourite was the so-called
Maritime Style, in which the artist depicted
various species of sea creatures and underwater
plants. The octopus was a particular favourite. |
|
 |
| |
| Third
Palace Period |
| (c.
1450-1200 BC) |
| |
| The
onset of the third palace period is also marked
by destruction but, in this case, it was man
made. All of the palaces except Knossos were
destroyed and abandoned. |
|
| |
| Late
Minoan II— |
| Late
Minoan IIIB |
| |
| The
defining pottery of this period is the so-called
'Palace Ware' found at Knossos, which is much
more formal and standardized than earlier
styles. At right is a tall jar characteristic
of the period |
|
 |
| |
| Post-palatial
Period |
| (c.
1350-1000 BC) |
| |
| In the years that follow the final destruction
and abandonment of Knossos, urban civilization
disappears from the Aegean world. |
|
| |
| Although
many characteristic shapes continue into this
period many new ones appear such as the stirrup
jar shown at right. Decorative motifs are
more stylized and less naturalistic than before. |
|
 |
18.10.2011
