A RE-EVALUATION OF THE SETTLEMENT EVIDENCE OF LATE HELLADIC IIICl

Abstract

The collapse of the Mycenaean palaces brought about a number of changes that are attested in the archaeological evidence of Late Helladic IIC. This paper will deal with the settlement evidence of Tiryns,Lefkandi and Koukounaries in an attempt to clarify this post-palatial period. In particular, three main points of interest will be examined: organization and political authority, population movements and evidence of hostility and destructions. Through an examination of these three sites, it becomes clear that a new approach must be established when studying this post-palatial period. Finally, using the archaeological data available today, we must re-evaluate early scholarly material which characterizes Late Helladic IIIC as a period of decline.