BETWEEN MYCENAEAN CULTURE AND MINOAN TRADITION: SOCIAL DYNAMICS IN CRETE AT THE END OF THE BRONZE AGE

Abstract

During the Mycenaean rule of Knossos the island of Crete underwent a deep cultural change that involved every aspect of social life. After the destruction of palace of Kossos, in LM III A2, we can see a decentralization of economical and political power, previously monopolized by this centre. The new centres tried to legitimise their own power by adopting the Mycenaean burial customs. Starting from LM IIIC, the situation in Crete changed.Refugee-settlements were founded and new necropoleis were established. The burial ritual in some areas of the island shows a renewed link with Minoan tradition. The use of tholoi burial caves and older buildings, the return in fashion of some methods of burial, the presence/absence of some objects amongst the burial furniture represent, chiely in Eastern Crete, a will to continue the traditional culture, departing from the strong Mycenaean culture of the previous period and still present on the island. The presence of different rites in Crete in this period could be the sign of strong competition between the insular centres or of an attempt to affirm different cultural identities.