Three Neopalatial deposits from Palaikastro, East Crete

Abstract

Although the MM III B and LM I A ceramic phases of the Neopalatial period have in central Crete recently been subjected to refinement and revision, some of it controversial, in the east of the island they are still not very clearly defined. It is often argued that these phases see important changes in Minoan political geography, with Knossos seemingly extending its influence farther afield than ever before. Thus closer definition of these phases in east Crete in relation to the centre of the island represents an important step. It is in this light that three deposits from Palaikastro are here fully presented and discussed, with a view to clarifying the nature of the MM III B and LM I A phases in east Crete. The deposits in question were excavated during the recent programme of British School excavations conducted between 1986 and 1996. They are from three different contexts, in Building 6, Area 6 and Building 2 respectively, and contain abundant pottery (447 catalogued pots in total). The pottery from these deposits consists largely of cups, stored in some quantity in what seem to be small storerooms or ‘pantries’. Although east Cretan Neopalatial pottery does exhibit its own stylistic and typological traits, there are sufficient comparisons with material in central Crete to assign the deposits from Building 6 and Area 6 to MM III B, and the one from Building 2 to LM I A. It is hoped that the publication of this material will serve as a clear basis for future discussions of these significant phases in east Crete.