Lecture 6: Ancient Aegean: Minoan & Mycenaean Civilisations || History of the Build Environment || ENVDES/LD ARC 543 || Professor Annaliese Bischoff

Lecture 6: Ancient Aegean: Minoan & Mycenaean Civilisations

Key Dates

Minoan 2500 BC down to 1550BC Early and Middle Periods

c1510-1310 BC Eruption on the island of Santorin

1550BC down to 1150BC Late Minoan Periods.

1150 BC down to 900 BC Dark Ages.

Mycenaean 2500 BC down to 1150 BC

1150BC down to 800BC Dark ages.

Other Contemporary civilizations in the Mediterranean:

Cycladic - a number of Aegean Island Cultures.

Trojan - based on Troy, on the Anatolian coast (Turkey).

Egyptian – Dynasty VI-XVIII

Minoan (on the island of Crete)

I Settlements based on extensive littoral areas with resources of fertile land;

II Each settled area is dominated by a ‘palace’.

III Examples: Phaistos- hilltop location, no fortifications, evidence of sophisticated planning. Knossos- on navigable river linked to ocean, no fortifications, complex planning of the palace complex, legends of Minos and Pasiphae with other legendary figures as Herakles, Thesus, Ariadne, Daedelus, Phaedre, Hippolytus and Icarus. Vapio cups, the labyrinth.

Buildings were sited less for defense with the sea acting as a natural fortification. Example in lectures was the palace at Phaistos with a large rectangular space and strong indoor to outdoor connection.

-Building aligned to the sea breezes in the summer and toward solar gain in the winter.

-Deliberate plantings were evident in the direction of the breezes including aromatic plants.

-Terracotta pipe irrigation under the palace was evidence of sophisticated water channeling.

Mycenaean (on the Greek mainland):

I Resources base of agriculture and location for defense are criteria in site location.

II Isolation between Mycenaean sites due to mountainous character of the land.

III Examples: Mycenae- the principal citadel of the Mycenaean House of Pelops or Artreus and which lends its name to a great number of sites established elsewhere during this period. Lion Gate c1250, corbal arch, tympanum, Tholos tombs (circular), dromos or sunken passageway, Cyclopaean masonry

Tiryns – The citadel.

Mycenaean culture rose after the collapse of Crete in 1400BC. Buildings were built upon the tops of hills and heavily walled for protection. The ‘High City’ had walls that were of 20’ thickness.

Gardens were similarly aligned to benefit from Winter sun and summer breezes. Archaeological evidence suggests patio gardens, planted with fruit and confined generally to public or semi-public places such as shops or teaching academies.

Mycenae collapses and Greece proper emerged c 700BC and the city states emerge with the rise of rationalism.

Knossos is the site of the most important and better known palace of Minoan civilization. According to tradition, it was the seat of the legendary king Minos. The Palace is also connected with thrilling legends, such as the myth of the Labyrinth with the Minotaur, and the story of Daidalos and Icaros.

The site was continuously inhabited from the Neolithic period (7000-3000 B.C.) until Roman times.

Knossos was discovered in 1878 by Minos Kalokairinos. Arthur Evans conducted systematic excavations at the site between 1900 and 1931, bringing to light the palace, a large section of the Minoan city, and the cemeteries.

(Hellenic Ministry of Culture web page http://www.culture.gr/2/21/211/21123a/e211wa03.html)

The plan of the Palace at Knossos. The central courtyard dictates the organization and circulation. Siting is based upon sea breezes and views in the summer and sun in the winter. Organization is based upon north-south and east- west corridors with interconnecting stairs between levels and strong connections between indoor and outdoor spaces.Large areas of the ground floor plans are devoted to storage. A series of storage rooms (magazines) open to the west of the north-south corridor. The exterior face of the magazines constitutes the west facade of the palace.

Click here for a guide tour around the site.

The lion's gate at Mycenae- The main entry into the walled citadel. Click here for a tour of the Mycenaean site

The palace at Knossos has superlative examples of early aegean frescoes with realistic images and repeated motifs of bulls

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Annaliese Bischoff

313 Hills North • Amherst, MA 01003 || Voice: (413) 545-6623 • FAX: (413) 545-1772 || abischof@larp.umass.edu