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Reconstruction of technological choice, social practice
and networks of exchange from a ceramic perspective
in the Middle Bronze Age Cyclades
Submitted by
Jillian Ruth Hilditch
to the University of Exeter as a thesis for the degree of
Doctor of Philosophy in Archaeology, October 2008.
This thesis is available for Library use on the understanding that it is copyright
material and that no quotation from the thesis may be published without proper
acknowledgement.
I certify that all material in this thesis which is not my own work has been
identified and that no material has previously been submitted and approved for
the award of a degree by this or any other University.
..................................... (signature)
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Abstract
Given the long history of research within the Aegean, the Middle Bronze Age (MBA) of
the Cyclades is surprisingly poorly understood. This region is often considered within
the context of other ‘worlds’, particularly in the quest to understand ‘Minoanisation’.
Prominent Middle Cycladic sites such as Ayia Irini (Kea), Phylakopi (Melos) and
Akrotiri (Thera) have played a dominant role towards informing the perceived Cycladic
‘response’ to growing Minoan influence within the Aegean sphere, often at the expense
of considering the interactions between these important settlements. However, the
recent 2000-2001 pillar pit excavations at Akrotiri have allowed a whole new phasing
for the MBA ceramic deposits and offer great potential for characterising these
neglected interactions. The ceramic material studied here, from Phases B and C of the
MBA assemblage at Akrotiri, corresponds to the introduction of imported and
‘Minoanised’ material traits, both compositional and technological, to the local ceramic
repertoire. This material is contextualised within previous research in the Cyclades,
including Phylakopi, Ayia Irini and Mikre Vigla.
Scale is considered an important theme and provides a key structure throughout this
thesis. Three scales were defined for considering all aspects of the ceramic assemblage
at Akrotiri:
- the potters at Akrotiri, the technological choices they make, the social practices they
participate in and perpetuate and the character of the local ceramic production
sequence (the micro-scale of individuals)
- the character and significance of the Akrotiri ceramic assemblage within the Cyclades
(the meso-scale of group interaction)
- the role that Akrotiri played as a node within larger social and exchange networks
throughout the Aegean (the macro-scale of community interactions)
From a theoretical standpoint, four explanatory frameworks are employed to tackle and
integrate these various scales: the chaîne opératoire, dynamic systems framework,
network theory and communities of practice. In combination, these frameworks have
the potential to bridge the structure-agency divide, by acknowledging the fundamentally
social nature of artefact production and consumption, and to integrate recent
considerations of human and non-human agency within dynamic processes.
Ultimately, by considering the socially constituted processes that drive the learning and
practice of a craft or technique, and how these processes contribute to and perpetuate
communities of practice, archaeologists can begin to meaningfully characterise the
contact between different groups of people in the past. Therefore, this technological
study of the late Middle Cycladic ceramic assemblage of Akrotiri, integrates
macroscopic, petrographic and QEMSCAN analyses to characterise and explore the
interactions within and between the many communities of practice operating within the
late MBA Cyclades. In addition, this methodology allows a better understanding of the
choices the communities in the Cyclades were making in the lead up to ‘Minoanisation’
so we can approach these material phenomena from a more localised, site-based
perspective rather than a traditional Creto-centric viewpoint.
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Table of Contents
Abstract ............................................................................................................................ 2
List of Figures ........................................................................................................... 6
List of Tables............................................................................................................. 8
List of Abbreviations................................................................................................. 9
Acknowledgments ......................................................................................................... 10
I – INTRODUCTION ....................................................... Error! Bookmark not defined.
II – BACKGROUND ........................................................ Error! Bookmark not defined.
Chapter 1: Theoretical approaches to material culture Error! Bookmark not defined.
1.1: Addressing scale .................................................. Error! Bookmark not defined.
1.2: Micro-scale – the individuals and the groups ...... Error! Bookmark not defined.
1.2.1: The social context of material culture ........... Error! Bookmark not defined.
1.2.2: Technological change and artefact variability ............. Error! Bookmark not
defined.
1.2.3: The question of agency: what is it and where does it lie? . Error! Bookmark
not defined.
1.2.4: Bridging the micro-scale gap between theory and data ..... Error! Bookmark
not defined.
1.2.4.a: Behavioural archaeology ........................ Error! Bookmark not defined.
1.2.4.b: Chaîne opératoire – the framework of ‘choice’ .... Error! Bookmark not
defined.
1.2.4.c: Dynamic systems framework – theorising change Error! Bookmark not
defined.
1.3: Macro-scale – communities and society .............. Error! Bookmark not defined.
1.3.1: On the archaeology of boundaries ................ Error! Bookmark not defined.
1.3.2: Considering exchange ................................... Error! Bookmark not defined.
1.3.2.a: Modern takes on old issues .................... Error! Bookmark not defined.
1.3.2.b: Independent artefacts ............................. Error! Bookmark not defined.
1.3.3: (Ex)change as process, not pattern ................ Error! Bookmark not defined.
1.3.3.a: World Systems thinking ......................... Error! Bookmark not defined.
1.3.3.b: Transmission and transformation: an evolutionary perspective .....Error!
Bookmark not defined.
1.3.3.c: Beyond dots on a map: complex theory and dynamic networks .....Error!
Bookmark not defined.
1.4: Establishing the meso-scale – groups and communities ..... Error! Bookmark not
defined.
1.4.1: Defining relevant communities ..................... Error! Bookmark not defined.
1.4.2: Meso-scale interactions between communities ............ Error! Bookmark not
defined.
1.4.3: Deconstructing Minoanisation ...................... Error! Bookmark not defined.
1.4.4: Minoanisation from a Cycladic perspective.. Error! Bookmark not defined.
Chapter 2: A brief history of Cycladic archaeology ...... Error! Bookmark not defined.
2.1: Introduction to the Bronze Age of the Cyclades .. Error! Bookmark not defined.
2.2: Akrotiri and MBA Thera: discovering a community .......... Error! Bookmark not
defined.
2.2.1: Before the pillar pits...................................... Error! Bookmark not defined.
2.2.2: A new phase(ing)… ...................................... Error! Bookmark not defined.
2.3: The Middle Bronze Age Cyclades: defining a culture ........ Error! Bookmark not
defined.
2.3.1: Ayia Irini ....................................................... Error! Bookmark not defined.
2.3.1.i: Phasing and chronology .......................... Error! Bookmark not defined.
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2.3.1.ii: Settlement and burial evidence .............. Error! Bookmark not defined.
2.3.1.iii: Ceramic assemblage ............................. Error! Bookmark not defined.
2.3.2: Phylakopi ...................................................... Error! Bookmark not defined.
2.3.2.i: Phasing and chronology .......................... Error! Bookmark not defined.
2.3.2.ii: Settlement and burial evidence .............. Error! Bookmark not defined.
2.3.2.iii: Ceramic assemblage ............................. Error! Bookmark not defined.
2.3.3: Elsewhere in the Cyclades… ........................ Error! Bookmark not defined.
2.3.4: Inter-site interactions in the MBA Cyclades . Error! Bookmark not defined.
2.4: The visibility of the Cyclades on a regional scale Error! Bookmark not defined.
2.4.1: The Greek mainland and Aegina – mutual exchange .. Error! Bookmark not
defined.
2.4.2: Crete – the successful conqueror? ................. Error! Bookmark not defined.
2.4.2.a: Evidence on Crete .................................. Error! Bookmark not defined.
2.4.2.b: Evidence on the islands .......................... Error! Bookmark not defined.
2.4.3: The East Aegean – the silent partner ............ Error! Bookmark not defined.
Chapter 3: Analytical approaches ................................... Error! Bookmark not defined.
3.1: Analytical techniques – a ceramic perspective .... Error! Bookmark not defined.
3.1.1: Macroscopic characterisation ........................ Error! Bookmark not defined.
3.1.2: Thin section petrography .............................. Error! Bookmark not defined.
3.1.3: Chemical analysis ......................................... Error! Bookmark not defined.
3.1.4: Integrated analyses ........................................ Error! Bookmark not defined.
3.2: Approaches to analytical inquiry ......................... Error! Bookmark not defined.
3.2.1: ‘Fingerprinting’ – the rise of material characterisation Error! Bookmark not
defined.
3.2.2: From the ‘top-down’ – structures of trade and exchange .. Error! Bookmark
not defined.
3.2.3: Starting from the basics – ‘bottom-up’ approaches ..... Error! Bookmark not
defined.
3.2.3.i: Patterns of ceramic production ............... Error! Bookmark not defined.
3.2.3.ii: Dynamic choices and production as process… .... Error! Bookmark not
defined.
3.2.4: Meso-scale perspectives – middle ground or master key? . Error! Bookmark
not defined.
Chapter 4: Towards a multiscalar methodology ............ Error! Bookmark not defined.
4.1: Introducing the analyses....................................... Error! Bookmark not defined.
4.2: The context of the pillar pits ................................ Error! Bookmark not defined.
4.3: Sampling strategy for the analyses....................... Error! Bookmark not defined.
III – FABRIC CHARACTERISATION ......................... Error! Bookmark not defined.
Chapter 5: Macroscopic analysis ..................................... Error! Bookmark not defined.
5.1: Group A – Local calcareous volcanic .................. Error! Bookmark not defined.
5.2: Group B – Fine non-micaceous clay with coarse sand inclusions ................Error!
Bookmark not defined.
5.3: Group C – Coarse micaceous clay with mica-bearing inclusions .................Error!
Bookmark not defined.
5.4: Group D – Red to brown crystalline .................... Error! Bookmark not defined.
5.5: Group G – Fine micaceous................................... Error! Bookmark not defined.
5.6: Group H – Fine varied ......................................... Error! Bookmark not defined.
Macroscopic fabric summary .................................. Error! Bookmark not defined.
Chapter 6: Microscopic analysis ...................................... Error! Bookmark not defined.
6.1: Geological sampling ............................................ Error! Bookmark not defined.
6.2: Refiring tests ........................................................ Error! Bookmark not defined.
6.3: Petrographic analysis ........................................... Error! Bookmark not defined.
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6.3.1: Fabric A – Buff calcareous volcanic with metamorphics .. Error! Bookmark
not defined.
Composition ........................................................ Error! Bookmark not defined.
Technology.......................................................... Error! Bookmark not defined.
Typological and stylistic considerations ............. Error! Bookmark not defined.
Macroscopic correlations .................................... Error! Bookmark not defined.
Petrographic parallels .......................................... Error! Bookmark not defined.
6.3.2: Fabric B - Fine non-micaceous with coarse sedimentary sand ..............Error!
Bookmark not defined.
Composition ........................................................ Error! Bookmark not defined.
Technology.......................................................... Error! Bookmark not defined.
Typological and stylistic considerations ............. Error! Bookmark not defined.
Macroscopic correlations .................................... Error! Bookmark not defined.
Petrographic parallels .......................................... Error! Bookmark not defined.
6.3.3: Fabric C – Micaceous schist/phyllite ............ Error! Bookmark not defined.
Composition ........................................................ Error! Bookmark not defined.
Technology.......................................................... Error! Bookmark not defined.
Typological and stylistic considerations ............. Error! Bookmark not defined.
Macroscopic correlations .................................... Error! Bookmark not defined.
Petrographic parallels .......................................... Error! Bookmark not defined.
6.3.4: Fabric D – Meta-granite with volcanics ........ Error! Bookmark not defined.
Composition ........................................................ Error! Bookmark not defined.
Technology.......................................................... Error! Bookmark not defined.
Typological and stylistic considerations ............. Error! Bookmark not defined.
Macroscopic correlations .................................... Error! Bookmark not defined.
Petrographic parallels .......................................... Error! Bookmark not defined.
6.3.5: Fabric G – Fine micaceous............................ Error! Bookmark not defined.
Composition ........................................................ Error! Bookmark not defined.
Technology.......................................................... Error! Bookmark not defined.
Typological and stylistic considerations ............. Error! Bookmark not defined.
Macroscopic correlations .................................... Error! Bookmark not defined.
Petrographic parallels .......................................... Error! Bookmark not defined.
6.3.6: Fabric H – Fine non-micaceous .................... Error! Bookmark not defined.
Composition and Technology ............................. Error! Bookmark not defined.
Typological and stylistic considerations ............. Error! Bookmark not defined.
Macroscopic correlations .................................... Error! Bookmark not defined.
6.3.7: Fabric J – Iron oxide & volcanic ................... Error! Bookmark not defined.
Composition and Technology ............................. Error! Bookmark not defined.
Typological and stylistic considerations ............. Error! Bookmark not defined.
Macroscopic correlations .................................... Error! Bookmark not defined.
Petrographic parallels .......................................... Error! Bookmark not defined.
6.4: QEMSCAN analysis ............................................ Error! Bookmark not defined.
6.4.1: Investigating Phase B and C ceramics from Akrotiri .. Error! Bookmark not
defined.
6.4.2: Results and interpretation.............................. Error! Bookmark not defined.
a) Local composition and grain size.................... Error! Bookmark not defined.
b) Iron content of the clay matrix ........................ Error! Bookmark not defined.
c) Firing conditions ............................................. Error! Bookmark not defined.
d) Suspected imports ........................................... Error! Bookmark not defined.
6.4.3: Summary ....................................................... Error! Bookmark not defined.
Chapter 7: Discussion ....................................................... Error! Bookmark not defined.
7.1: The practice of potting at Akrotiri ....................... Error! Bookmark not defined.
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7.1.1: Characterising the local chaîne(s) opératoire(s)........... Error! Bookmark not
defined.
7.1.2: Organisation of production ........................... Error! Bookmark not defined.
7.2: Community interactions within the Cyclades ...... Error! Bookmark not defined.
7.2.1: Thera ............................................................. Error! Bookmark not defined.
7.2.2: Melos............................................................. Error! Bookmark not defined.
7.2.3: Kea ................................................................ Error! Bookmark not defined.
7.2.4: Naxos ............................................................ Error! Bookmark not defined.
7.2.5: Elsewhere in the Cyclades ............................ Error! Bookmark not defined.
7.2.6: A Cycladic community of practice?.............. Error! Bookmark not defined.
7.3: Regional interactions within Aegean networks ... Error! Bookmark not defined.
7.3.1: The South East Aegean ................................. Error! Bookmark not defined.
7.3.2: The Greek Mainland and the MH ceramic tradition .... Error! Bookmark not
defined.
7.3.3: Crete .............................................................. Error! Bookmark not defined.
IV – CONCLUSIONS ....................................................... Error! Bookmark not defined.
References .......................................................................... Error! Bookmark not defined.
APPENDIX ........................................................................ Error! Bookmark not defined.
Petrographic Fabric Descriptions ................................ Error! Bookmark not defined.
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List of Figures
CHAPTER 1
Figure 1.1 – Material culture variability and social boundaries………………………..41
Figure 1.2 – Kardulias’s Aegean ‘World System’…………………………………......51
Figure 1.3 – Graphical representations of small-world connectivity…………………..56
CHAPTER 2
Figure 2.1 – Map of the Cyclades……………………………………………………...71
Figure 2.2 – Map of the Aegean………………………………………………………..90
Figure 2.3 – Map of the southern Greek Mainland…………………………………….92
Figure 2.4 – Map of central and eastern Crete…………………………………………94
CHAPTER 4
Figure 4.1 – Architectural plan of Akrotiri with relevant pillar pits………………….140
CHAPTER 5
Figure 5.1 – Photographs of polished A1 section and break………………………….149
Figure 5.2 – Photographs of polished A2 section and break………………………….151
Figure 5.3 – Photographs of polished A3 section and break………………………….153
Figure 5.4 – Photographs of polished B1 section and break………………………….155
Figure 5.5 – Photographs of polished B2 section and break………………………….157
Figure 5.6 – Photographs of polished B3 section and break………………………….158
Figure 5.7 – Photographs of polished B4 section and break………………………….160
Figure 5.8 – Photograph of a layered pithos rim with B3 & B5.……………………..161
Figure 5.9 – Photographs of polished C1 section and break………………………….164
Figure 5.10 – Photographs of polished C2 section and break………………………...165
Figure 5.11 – Photographs of polished C3 section and break………………………...167
Figure 5.12 – Photographs of polished C4 section and break………………………...168
Figure 5.13 – Photographs of polished C5 section and break…………………….......169
Figure 5.14 – Photographs of polished C6 section and break………………………...171
Figure 5.15 – Photograph of polished section and break from pot 9807…………......171
Figure 5.16 – Photographs of polished D1 section and break………………………...173
Figure 5.17 – Photographs of polished D2 section and break………………………...175
Figure 5.18 – Photographs of polished D3 section and break………………………...176
Figure 5.19 – Photographs of polished D4 section and break………………………...177
Figure 5.20 – Photographs of polished D5 section and break………………………...179
Figure 5.21 – Photograph of D6 hand specimen……………………………………...180
Figure 5.22 – Scan of fresh break for G1……………………………………………..182
Figure 5.23 – Photograph of a G2 vessel……………………………………………..183
Figure 5.24 – Photograph of polished G3 section…………………………………….184
Figure 5.25 – Photograph of fresh break from H1 vessel…………………………….185
Figure 5.26 – Photograph of fresh break from H6 vessel…………………………….187
Figure 5.27 – Macroscopic fabric distribution within the pillar pits………………….190
Figure 5.28 – Macroscopic fabric distribution of suspected imports…………………190
CHAPTER 6
Figure 6.1 – Map of the southern Akrotiri peninsula…………………………………193
Figure 6.2 – Nabertherm L5/P furnace……………………………………………….194
Figure 6.3 – Refiring chips……………………………………………………………194
Figure 6.4 – The range of refired colours within Fabric A…………………………...199
Figure 6.5 – Possible Fabric A chaînes opératoires…………………………………..200
Figure 6.6 – a) Belly-handled amphora (9374); b) Piriform amphora (9322)………..202
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Figure 6.7 – Correlation of macroscopic Group A & microscopic Fabric A…………207
Figure 6.8 – Reconstructed and catalogued vessels of Fabric A: a) Griffin jar (8885); b)
Minoanising bridge-spouted jar (9424); c) Beaked jug (8131);
d) Swallow bird jug (9405); e) Minoanising ewer (9373)..…………………………..208
Figure 6.9 – Fabric A: A – Semi-fine to Semi-coarse (15);
B – Coarse (30); C – Very coarse (31); D – Metamorphic-rich (31);
E – Banded marine tuff from southern Thera (GS 07/03);
F - right-side shows burnt out calcareous component (77);
G –iron-rich clay feature within the matrix, with macrofossil (69);
H – Vaughan’s Fabric A from EBA assemblage (89/03);
I – Vaughan’s Calcareous-Tuffaceous fabric from MBA
Mikre Vigla (88/07)………………………………………………………..209
Figure 6.10 – Comparison of refired colours for Fabric B…………………………...213
Figure 6.11 – The B3 samples………………………………………………………...217
Figure 6.12 – Samples 100 and 114…………………………………………………..217
Figure 6.13 – Catalogued vessels within Fabric B:
a) Minoan-style ewer (9814); b) Lentoid flask (9324)………………………..217
Figure 6.14 – Imported fabrics: A – Fabric B, Subgroup A, central Cretan (40);
B – Fabric B, Subgroup B, central Cretan (227);
C – Fabric B, variant, with serpentinite (230);
D – Fabric B, variant, Maliote(?) (100);
E – Fabric D, main Naxian Meta-granitic with volcanics (53);
F – Experimental briquette from west Naxos, fired at 900˚C (26);
G –Vaughan’s Metamorphic-Granite fabric from Mikre Vigla (88/72);
H – Fabric D calcareous variant (169);
I – Fabric J, (79) Minoanising globular bridge-spouted jar (CatNo. 9807)…...218
Figure 6.15 – Fabric C Subgroup A (202 & 140)………………………………..…...220
Figure 6.16 – Fabric C Subgroup B (105 & 196)…………………………………….220
Figure 6.17 – Fabric C Subgroup C (54, 183 & 184)…………….…………………..221
Figure 6.18 – Fabric C Subgroup D (126 & 139)……………….……………………221
Figure 6.19 – Fabric C Subgroup E (113 & 195)……………….…………………….221
Figure 6.20 – Fabric C Subgroup F (187)……………………..……………………...222
Figure 6.21 – Fabric C Subgroup G (106)…………………..………………………..222
Figure 6.22 – Fabric C Subgroup H (141)…………………………………………....222
Figure 6.23 – Fabric C Subgroup I (142)……………………………………………..223
Figure 6.24 – Fabric C iron-rich schist/phyllite fabrics;
I) clinozoisite and epidote grains;
II) micrite and muscovite-rich schist;
III) biotite-rich phyllite and a porphyroblastic feldspar………………………223
Figure 6.25 – Catalogued vessels of Fabric C:
(a) Hole-mouthed jar (9408); (b) Carinated(?) cup (9572)……………………226
Figure 6.26 –Fabric D: samples 193 & 194…………………………………………..228
Figure 6.27 – Fabric D Subgroup B: samples 169, 188, 199, 200 & 188…………….230
Figure 6.28 – Catalogued vessels of Fabric D:
a) Belly-handled amphora with spigot (9316);
b) Collared ewer (9728)……………………………………………………….230
Figure 6.29 – Polished section and refired chip from sample 197……………………233
Figure 6.30 – Polished section and refired chip for sample 56……………………….235
Figure 6.31 – Polished section and refired chip for sample 58……………………….235
Figure 6.32 – Polished section and refired chip for sample 228……………………...236
Figure 6.33 – Polished sections and refired chips for Fabric J, (79, 189 & 198)……..238
Figure 6.34 – Photograph of the unique globular bridge-spouted jar, 79 (9807)……..238
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Figure 6.35 – Relative mineral percentage graph showing petrographic categories…244
Figure 6.36 – (top left) view of the Archangelos Complex rocks;
(top right) QEMSCAN false colour image of the geological sample taken;
(bottom left) banded tuffs……………………………………………………..245
Figure 6.37 – The various forms of calcite within Fabric A:
microfossils (205), void fills (179) and fossiliferous rock (204)……………...246
Figure 6.38 – Samples from Fabric A with low Fe content…………………………..247
Figure 6.39 – Samples from Fabric A with moderate Fe content…………………….248
Figure 6.40 – Samples from Fabrics A, B (191) and D (193) with high Fe content….249
Figure 6.41 – False colour QEMSCAN image from sample 107, showing
darker Fe-rich clay and lighter Ca- and Al-rich clay patches…………………250
Figure 6.42: A - sample 207 photomicrograph (XPL) of microfossil and
fossiliferous rock; B – QEMSCAN false colour image of the same view;
C – sample 220, showing microfossil void; D,E,F – high-fired samples
207, 222, 177, titanium-magnetite phases within the clay are red……………251
Figure 6.43 – Graph comparing local fabric samples and suspected imports………..252
Figure 6.44 – QEMSCAN images of Fabric B (191) & Fabric D (193)……………..253
Figure 6.45 – QEMSCAN image of sample 179 (Metamorphic-rich)……………….254
Figure 6.46 – Comparison of photomicrograph & QEMSCAN image (sample 207)..255
Figure 6.47 – Comparison of photomicrograph & QEMSCAN image (sample 177)..255
Figure 6.48 – Comparison of photomicrograph & QEMSCAN image (sample 204)..255
CHAPTER 7
Figure 7.1 – The non-fossiliferous dark buff variant of Fabric A: (134,170&171)….260
Figure 7.2 – Macroscopic and microscopic traces of burnt-out organic particles……264
Figure 7.3 –North Central Cretan fabric and local Metamorphic-rich fabric………...265
Figure 7.4 – Two piriform drinking cups showing the contrast between the pale……267
background and dark motifs of the Cycladic tradition and the local
imitation of Cretan Light-on-Dark ware (11003 & 9377)
Figure 7.5 – Popular motifs within the Phase C assemblage at Akrotiri……………..268
Figure 7.6 – Comparison of Dark-on-Light sherds analysed petrographically, with
respect to firing conditions and iron content of the clay……………………………...272
Figure 7.7 – Production sequence of local ceramic production at Akrotiri…………..276
List of Tables
CHAPTER 2
Table 2.1 – Differences in the MC ceramic repertoire…………………………………88
Table 2.2 – Chronological correlations between the Cyclades and Crete……………...89
CHAPTER 4
Table 4.1 – The pillar pits chosen for analysis and their phasing…………………….138
Table 4.2 – List of catalogued vessels studied macroscopically at Akrotiri………..143-4
CHAPTER 5
Table 5.0 – Sherd counts within each freata, by macroscopic classification…………147
Table 5.1 – List of vessel shapes within Group A1…………………………………...149
Table 5.2 – List of vessel shapes within Group A2…………………………………...151
Table 5.3 – List of vessel shapes within Group A3…………………………………...153
Table 5.4 – List of vessel shapes within Group B1…………………………………...156
Table 5.5 – List of vessel shapes within Group B2…………………………………...157
Table 5.6 – List of vessel shapes within Group B3…………………………………...159
Table 5.7 – List of vessel shapes within Group B4…………………………………...160
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Table 5.8 – List of vessel shapes within Group B5…………………………………...161
Table 5.9 – List of vessel shapes within Group B7…………………………………...162
Table 5.10 – List of vessel shapes within Group C1………………………………….164
Table 5.11 – List of vessel shapes within Group C2………………………………….166
Table 5.12 – List of vessel shapes within Group C3………………………………….167
Table 5.13 – List of vessel shapes within Group C4………………………………….168
Table 5.14 – List of vessel shapes within Group C5………………………………….170
Table 5.15 – List of vessel shapes within Group C6………………………………….170
Table 5.16 – List of vessel shapes within Group D1………………………………….173
Table 5.17 – List of vessel shapes within Group D2………………………………….175
Table 5.18 – List of vessel shapes within Group D3………………………………….176
Table 5.19 – List of vessel shapes within Group D4………………………………….178
Table 5.20 – List of vessel shapes within Group D5………………………………….179
Table 5.21 – List of vessel shapes within Group D6………………………………….181
Table 5.22 – Sherd counts and percentages for the pillar pits………………………...189
CHAPTER 6
Table 6.1 – Geological sampling locations and description of deposits……………...192
Table 6.2 – Refired petrographic samples…………………………………………….194
Table 6.3 – Summary of Fabric A samples…………………………………………...198
Table 6.4 – Fabric A samples by firing condition, surface treatment and coarseness...203
Table 6.5 – Detailed outline of phase B vessel shapes made using Fabric A………...204
Table 6.6 – Detailed outline of phase C vessel shapes made using Fabric A………...205
Table 6.7 - Range of surface treatments found in Fabric A by ceramic phase……….206
Table 6.8 – Summary of Fabric B samples…………………………………………...210
Table 6.9 - Range and quantity of surface treatments found within Fabric B……..…214
Table 6.10 – Detailed outline of vessel shapes made using Fabric B………..……….215
Table 6.11 – Summary of Fabric C samples..………………………………………...220
Table 6.12 – Summary of Fabric D samples…..……………………………………...227
Table 6.13 – Summary of Fabric G samples…………………………………..……...233
Table 6.14 – Summary of Fabric H samples…………………………………..……...235
Table 6.15 – Summary of Fabric J samples..………………………………………….237
Table 6.16 – List of samples analysed by QEMSCAN…..…………………………...242
CHAPTER 7
Table 7.1 – Cooking pots within the local fabric studied petrographically…………...261
Table 7.2 – Cycladic cups within the local fabric studied petrographically…………..263
Table 7.3 – Ledge-rim bowl samples…………………………………………………266
Table 7.4 – The Cycladic ‘island-wide’ wares………………………………………..295
List of Abbreviations
AW = applied white matt paint
DOL = Dark-on-Light ware
DSB = Dark Slipped & Burnished ware
DSF = Dynamic Systems Framework
EBA = Early Bronze Age
EC / MC / LC = Early / Middle / Late
Cycladic
FOV = Field of view
LBA = Late Bronze Age
LOD = Light-on-Dark ware
MBA = Middle Bronze Age
PP = Pillar pit
RSB = Red Slipped & Burnished
TSR = Tortoiseshell ripple decoration
WOD = White-on-Dark ware
11
Acknowledgments
This thesis is due in no small part to my supervisor, Carl Knappett. I owe him my
heartfelt thanks, not only for his support, eye-opening theoretical discussions and the
occasional Strongbow, but for introducing me to Akrotiri (‘probably the greatest
archaeological site in the Aegean’) and the team involved in the Middle Bronze Age
ceramic study. My fellow sherdnerds on site, Irene Nikolakopoulou and Iro
Mathioudaki, have been fundamental to my understanding and appreciation of the
ceramic assemblage and unwavering in their kindness and generosity, both on Thera
and off. Also at the excavation, I am indebted to the support of the Director, Professor
Christos Doumas, as well as Tania Devetzi and Fragoula Georma for all their help with
the samples and permits. In the apotheke, Panagioti and Vassilis have reconstructed,
lifted and shifted many pots on my behalf and for which I am extremely grateful. At my
second home, the British School at Athens, I am extremely fortunate for the assistance,
support and friendship I have found within its walls – to Vangelio Kiriatzi, Director of
the Fitch Laboratory, for her patience, knowledge and experience; to Tania Gerousi for
all her support, both at home and at work, and to Michalis Sakalis, for his technical
assistance and constant supply of glykia. In the BSA library, Penny Wilson-Zarganis
and Sandra Peplasis have been an endless source of information, sympathy, and
accompaniment to good food and wine.
In the UK, the QEMSCAN analysis would not have been possible without the hard
work and continuing commitment of Matt Power (Intellection, formerly CSM) and the
assistance of Gavyn Rollinson at the Cambourne School of Mines. Within the Exeter
Archaeology Department, I am grateful to Linda Hurcombe, for her time, advice and
financial solutions, and Mike Rouillard, for his assistance in all things microscope and
Corel-related. This thesis was fully funded by the Arts and Humanities Research
Council (AHRC) of the UK and supplemented by an Overseas Study Allowance for
April-December 2007.
Lastly, but by no means least, thanks to my friends and family who, quite simply, have
gotten me through the PhD - Imogen and Annoula for their homes from home; MarieClaude for her unfailing common-sense and camaraderie; Amalia, Ruth and Sarah for
being there all the way, and some much needed detours en route; and finally, to my
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sister and my parents for, well, pretty much everything – you have all my love and a
promise that I will try to get a proper job now.