The early Minoan period and the origin of the palatial phenomenon.

(New Data from Phaestos)

The origin of the Protopalatial phenomenon has recently undergone a process of profound re-evaluation on the basis of the acknowledgment that its conceptualization was heavily influenced by the characteristics of its MM III-LM I Neopalatial successor. 

This rethinking process, which started from challenging the very use of the term ‘palace’, clarified that the early court buildings functioned as the principal ceremonial focus for a wider urban or rural community and, rather than serving as a residence for an elite authority, might have housed an institution that was instrumental in promoting and maintaining social cohesion. 

This prevalent ceremonial function emerged particularly clearly at Mallia and Knossos, but not at Phaistos, where evidence for the EM was far too sparse. The resumption of the excavations at Phaistos provided important new data which allowed a completely different picture to be pinpointed for the EM period. 

This paper, building on these discoveries, aims to contextualise the foundation of the First Palace at the site by clarifying its specificity - in terms of function and status - from its colonization at the end of the Neolithic period, throughout the Early Bronze Age.

Source: Academia.edu

Simona Todaro

Università di Catania, Dipartimento di Scienze Umanistiche, Faculty Member