DOI Seite / Zitierlink:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.3044#0021
2 - CERAMIC CHRONOLOGY
Inasmuch as archaeological contexts comprise the most important single criterion for the
dating of Aegean seals, a sketch of the ceramic chronology used here appears before a position
is taken on the dating of the contexts which contained seals and sealings. The definitions of the
ceramic periods are simplified for the sake of clarity. The reader is reminded that it is often dif-
ficult to decide the period to which a single vase or even a deposit of vases belongs - particular-
ly in the case of atypical, undecorated vases from provincial sites.
The ceramic chronology used here is based in large part on the finds from Knossos, the
type site for Minoan Crete. Key points are:
1) In contrast to Doro Levi, I consider the Early Minoan Age to be a true period.
2) EM HI and MM IA wares seem to be contemporary to some extent.
3) The major building program referred to as the Old Palatial Period begins in MM IB.
4) MM IB ceramic styles continue through MM II and perhaps even later in some areas.
5) MM II Classical Kamares ceramic, as defined by Walberg , is a high quality palatial ware.
6) Classical Kamares ceramic is in style and motif homogeneous and therefore difficult to sub-
divide chronologically. Other non-Kamares wares also exist in MM II.
7) A MM IIIA ceramic style is difficult to isolate.5
8) The MM IIIB Temple Repository in Knossos is an anchoring point for the Minoan ceramic
chronology because it contained a large quantity of datable ceramic and seems to be a closed
context.
9) The Old Palatial building complexes were intact at least as late as MM IIB in terms of Evans's
chronological system, and possibly later. The term "Old Palatial" is used throughout in a con-
ventional sense and encompasses material up to and including MM IIIB. There is no common-
ly held opinion on the final destruction of the Old Palaces.7If we arbitrarily use the latest
cutoff and do not exclude the post-MM IIB material from consideration, we will be able to
study the transition from Old Palatial to Neopalatial glyptic.
Inasmuch as archaeological contexts comprise the most important single criterion for the
dating of Aegean seals, a sketch of the ceramic chronology used here appears before a position
is taken on the dating of the contexts which contained seals and sealings. The definitions of the
ceramic periods are simplified for the sake of clarity. The reader is reminded that it is often dif-
ficult to decide the period to which a single vase or even a deposit of vases belongs - particular-
ly in the case of atypical, undecorated vases from provincial sites.
The ceramic chronology used here is based in large part on the finds from Knossos, the
type site for Minoan Crete. Key points are:
1) In contrast to Doro Levi, I consider the Early Minoan Age to be a true period.
2) EM HI and MM IA wares seem to be contemporary to some extent.
3) The major building program referred to as the Old Palatial Period begins in MM IB.
4) MM IB ceramic styles continue through MM II and perhaps even later in some areas.
5) MM II Classical Kamares ceramic, as defined by Walberg , is a high quality palatial ware.
6) Classical Kamares ceramic is in style and motif homogeneous and therefore difficult to sub-
divide chronologically. Other non-Kamares wares also exist in MM II.
7) A MM IIIA ceramic style is difficult to isolate.5
8) The MM IIIB Temple Repository in Knossos is an anchoring point for the Minoan ceramic
chronology because it contained a large quantity of datable ceramic and seems to be a closed
context.
9) The Old Palatial building complexes were intact at least as late as MM IIB in terms of Evans's
chronological system, and possibly later. The term "Old Palatial" is used throughout in a con-
ventional sense and encompasses material up to and including MM IIIB. There is no common-
ly held opinion on the final destruction of the Old Palaces.7If we arbitrarily use the latest
cutoff and do not exclude the post-MM IIB material from consideration, we will be able to
study the transition from Old Palatial to Neopalatial glyptic.