Final Palatial (LM II-LM IIIA2) and Postpalatial (LM IIIB-LM IIIC Early): the MUM South
Sector, Long Corridor Cists, MUM Pits (8, 10-11), Makritikhos 'Kitchen', MUM North
Platform Pits and SEX Southern Half Groups
Author(s): Eleni Hatzaki
Source: British School at Athens Studies , 2007, Vol. 14, KNOSSOS POTTERY HANDBOOK:
NEOLITHIC and BRONZE AGE (MINOAN) (2007), pp. 197-251, 11-13
Published by: British School at Athens
Stable URL: https://www.jstor.org/stable/40916600
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6
Final Palatial (LM II-LM IIIA2) and
Postpalatial (LM IIIB-LM IIIC Early):
the MUM South Sector, Long Corridor Cists, MUM Pits
(8, io-ii), Makritikhos 'Kitchen', MUM North Platform Pits
and SEX Southern Half Groups
Eleni Hatzaki
INTRODUCTION
The Final Palatial period witnesses the rise of Knossian
hegemony and domination, at least in administrative
terms, in the centre and west of the island, as reflected
in the rich archives found in the single functioning
palace on Crete (Bennet 1985, 1990; Driessen 2001). It
is the period associated with one of the most hotly
debated disputes in Aegean archaeology, namely the date
of the final destruction of the palace at Knossos and of
its Linear B archives, which some scholars would place
in the LM IIIA2 phase, and others in LM IIIB (see also
below). The Postpalatial period is connected with other
dramatic changes in the island's history, such as the
establishment of new settlement patterns (e.g. an
emphasis on upland settlements), leading to the end of
the Bronze Age (Nowicki 2000a).
Readers should note that in this chapter the author
has adapted the Final Palatial and Postpalatial
terminology employed by Rehak and Younger (2001)
for the whole of Crete to the specific Knossian case (see
also Hatzaki 2004). For Rehak and Younger the Final
Palatial and Postpalatial periods correspond, respectively,
to the LM II-LM IIIB Early and to the LM
IIIB Late-LM IIIC phases. For Knossos, however, the
author believes that the Final Palatial period ends some
time in the ceramic phase labelled LM IIIA2. This
ceramic phase, however, did not stop with the
destruction of the palace, and it is not possible to make
a separation, in terms of development, between LM
IIIA2 ceramics before and after the palace destruction.
A. J. Evans's sequence
In the preliminary report for his first excavation season
at Knossos, Evans identified only two major architectural
phases, called 'Kamares' and 'Mycenaean',
associated with Light-on-Dark and Dark-on-Light
wares respectively: the 'Mycenaean phase' ended when
a fire destroyed the palace and accidentally bak
inscribed clay tablets (Evans 19000, 63-6; Welch
This, according to Evans (19000, 66), was the last
in the building's history. It was Mackenzie, E
assistant, who, in 190 1, convinced his employer th
Mycenaean phase was followed by a period of 'de
a 'non-palatial phase', during which parts of the
were 'reoccupied', only to be abandoned within a
period (Momigliano 1996). In 1902 the term
Style' was introduced to characterise one of the
of ceramics in vogue at the time of the final p
destruction: the presence of large storage jars deco
in this style became the key element in dating dep
to this period (FIG. 6.1: 1; Evans 1902, 42; Mack
1903, 194). The Bugelkannen or octopus stirrup
a limited repertoire of Plain Ware forms (such
champagne cup or kylix in its low-stemmed varian
the shallow bowl) became the 'type-fossils' of th
occupation' period (FIG. 6.1: 2, 4; Mackenzie 1903
Evans 1935, 735, fig. 720). In 1903 the excavati
the Royal Villa provided a mass of decorated
vessels, which Mackenzie erroneously assigned
reoccupation period, because he considered
decoration inferior to that of the Palace Style jars
6.1: 3; Evans 1903, 140, 153, fig. 92). In 190
excavation of the Zapher Papoura cemetery (FI
4) provided further evidence for a style conside
Evans and Mackenzie as more advanced than the Palace
Style: as a result, the palace destruction was classified
as earlier than these 'decadent Mycenaean wares of the
period of Partial Occupation' (Evans 1904, 4).
When Evans codified his tripartite division of the
Minoan era (1905^, 1906^), the Palace Style in vogue
at the time of the final palace destruction was assigned
to LM II, whereas the style in fashion during the
succeeding 'reoccupation' or Postpalatial phase was
assigned to LM III. The now familiar tripartite
subdivision of LM III into A, B and C was clearly stated
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198 ELENI HATZAKI
Fig. 6.1. Some traditional type fossils for the
LM II and LM III periods: (1) Palace
Style jar (after Mackenzie 1903, fig. 10);
(2) Shrine of the Double Axes with pottery
of the reoccupation period (after Evans
1928, fig. i8g); (3) pottery from the Royal
Villa assigned by Evans and Mackenzie to
the Reoccupation Period (after Evans 1903,
fig. 92); (4) stirrup jars of the reoccupation
period from the Zapher Papoura cemetery
(after Evans 1006k fig. 117)for
the first time in the second volume of The Palace of
Minos (Evans 1928). This subdivision, however, was
somewhat anticipated in Evans's 1906 discussion of the
pottery from Zapher Papoura, from the final occupation
at the 'House of the Fetishes' (as the Little Palace was
called at the time) and from th
of Knossos (19060, 10-1 1). The
is also anticipated in an unpubli
of 1 9 14 (in effect an early draft
entitled 'The Nine Minoan Per
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FINAL PALA TIAL (LM II-LM IIIA2) AND POSTPALA TIAL (LM IIIB-LM IIIC EARLY) 1 99
that Evans had been using terms such as 'L.M. III#'
and 'L.M. ''W long before the publication of The Palace
of Minos (Momigliano 1999^).
Developments of the Knossian sequence after
A. J. Evans
After Evans, a major step in phasing LM II-LM III
was made by Furumark, who recognised the 'LM II
Palace Style' as 'a peculiar class of Central Cretan
pottery' manufactured only at Knossos (19410, 166),
and described the pottery that he believed to be
associated with the destruction of the palace at Knossos
as 'decorated in a style of still more advanced character',
which he assigned to an early phase of LM IIIA
(Furumark 194 10, 169). He also divided LM IIIA and
IIIB into earlier and later stages (Furumark 194 10, 9),
which he called LM IIIAi, LM IIIA2, LM IIIBi and
LM IIIB2. Knossos, however, did not provide any
stratigraphic evidence for these subdivisions, which
were made by Furumark purely on stylistic grounds
(Furumark 1941^, 103). Apart from deposits assigned
to the 'latest palace', LM IIIAi was primarily illustrated
by pottery deriving from funerary contexts (Furumark
1941^ 85, 103-4). The definition of LM IIIA2 was also
largely based on funerary material (Furumark 1941^,
103-5), and tnis pottery was assigned to 'an early stage
of the post-palatial period' (Furumark 1941^, 104).
Thus a sequence largely based on stylistic developments
was adopted. For the phasing of LM IIIB, Furumark
firmly associated the latest pottery from the 'reoccupation'
of the palace and from various tombs at Zapher
Papoura to LM IIIBi. LM IIIB2 at Knossos was again
defined on stylistic grounds, on the basis of a handful
of pottery from funerary contexts (Furumark 1941^,
106). This ceramic phase was deemed to be contemporary
with 'Mycenaean' IIIC: 1 and to be followed
by 'sub-Minoan' (Furumark 1941^, 106-9).
In a number of subsequent publications, some
scholars argued that the Palace Style jars were not found
in stratified contexts within the palace (Vermeule 1963;
Hopkins 1963; Hallager 1977) and that pottery assigned
to LM II and LM IIIAi belonged to one and the same
ceramic (and chronological) phase (Niemeier 1979).
Popham's studies, however, have successfully demonstrated
the existence of two separate ceramic phases
at Knossos that could be labelled LM II and LM IIIA,
and also that the Final Palatial period, as defined by
Evans and Mackenzie, should be associated with LM
IIIA2 ceramics instead of LM II, as Evans had originally
suggested (Popham 1970^, 65-7; 1984; 1994, 94). In
particular, it became clear that the Palace Style (so
crucial for Evans's and Mackenzie's dating of the final
destruction of the palace at Knossos) was not limited
to the LM II period but occurred in both LM II and
LM IIIA. Some ceramic assemblages dated by
Mackenzie to the 'reoccupation', such as those from
the Royal Villa and the Zapher Papoura cemetery, are
now seen to be contemporary with Evans's and
Mackenzie's Final Palatial period (Popham 1970^, 16-
20; Hatzaki, forthcoming e).
Crucial to understanding what happened at Knossos
in LM IIIA is the palace and town destruction horizon
identified by Evans and Mackenzie, which Popham
assigned to 'the very beginning of LM IIIA2 at a time
when the majority of vases in use were still LM IIIAi
in style' (Popham 1970^, 81). This destruction horizon
(henceforth referred to as 'Popham's palace destruction
horizon') is an event, not a ceramic phase: it occurred
at a time when pottery with stylistic characteristics of
LM IIIAi and LM IIIA2 seems to have largely
overlapped. Popham's objective was not to subdivide
LM IIIA2 into 'early' and 'late' phases, but to pinpoint
the moment, in terms of ceramic development, when
the event took place (1970a, 85).
The present re-examination of Final Palatial and
Postpalatial Knossos has revealed a sequence of wellstratified
deposits (mostly excavated after Evans's time)
which can be assigned to LM IIIAi, LM IIIA2 and
LM IIIB (Early and Late ), but has not identified any
evidence supporting the subdivision of LM IIIA2 into
early and late sub-phases. The publication of deposits
from Poros, however, may well shed further light on
this (Dimopoulou-Rethemiotaki 1993, 452).
Many archaeologists nowadays agree with Popham's
reconstruction of events at Knossos (which is basically
a revised version of Evans's and Mackenzie's interpretation),
with a final destruction of the palace occurring
when LM IIIA2 ceramics were already in use (e.g. Rutter
2005; Hatzaki 2004, 2005^; Preston 2004; Warren 1991^),
followed by a reoccupation of non-palatial character. It
should be noted, however, that some scholars have
rejected the very idea of a non-palatial reoccupation
phase, and have linked the final destruction of the palace
at Knossos and its archives of Linear B tablets to the LM
IIIB period (Palmer and Boardman 1963; Palmer 1969;
Hood 1961^, 1965a; Hallager 1977; Niemeier 1982^).
More recently, it has even been suggested that the Linear
B tablets of Knossos can be associated with three distinct
destruction horizons, datable to LM II, LM IIIA2 and
LM IIIB (Driessen 1990, 1997).
Like Neopalatial pottery (see Chapter 5), until
recently the study of Final Palatial and Postpalatial
ceramics at Knossos has not been based on strictly
stratigraphic criteria, but largely on the stylistic analysis
of minute details of the decoration of individual forms
(a legacy of Furumark's approach) and on the presence
or absence of a limited range of 'type-fossils', with
deposits often assigned to a period or ceramic phase on
the basis of the presence or absence of a single stylistic
trait. Thus, for example, the presence of four thin bands
on cups has been considered typical of LM IIIAi and
LM IIIA2 'early' (FIG. 6.12: 3), while the appearance
of the 'thick-thin-thin-thick bands' decoration (two
thick bands with several thin ones in between) has been
considered typical of LM IIIA2 'late' (FIG. 6.20: v,
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200 ELENI HATZAKI
Popham 1984, pl. 175: 1; Warren 1
Warren and Hankey 1989, 86-8
suggested that a particular form o
upright profile decorated with 'th
bands' is a marker for LM IIIB (FI
1997, fig. 33). The definition of a cer
creation of sub-phases) on the basi
of stylistic features applied to an equ
of wares and forms seems, howeve
unsound, as demonstrated, for exam
the 'thick-thin-thin-thick bands' decoration is a
common arrangement on closed-shape vessels clearly
datable to LM IIIAi (FIG. 6. 13: 4-5; Popham et al. 1974,
pl. 34d; Hood at al. 1959, fig. 26: 1.4
A subdivision of LM IIIB may now be possible thanks
to the stratigraphic and stylistic evidence provided by
Popham's excavations in the MUM and by the author's
in the area of the Little Palace North. The LM IIIB
pottery in the abandonment levels of the MUM,
although restricted in terms of repertoire (Popham
1984, 3-10, pls. 105, io8b-c, no, 115: 9-1 1, 180: 7-13)
is closely comparable with that found in the palace
(Popham 1964). In addition, robbing pits filled with
LM IIIB pottery were found stratified above the LM
IIIB abandonment levels of the MUM (Popham 1984,
93, pls. 179, 180: 1-5, 126, i27a-c). In the final
publication of his MUM excavations, Popham
presented this clear stratigraphic evidence and also
hinted at the possibility of a stylistic ceramic
differentiation between abandonment levels and the fills
in the pits (Popham 1984, 93), but in his presentation
of the LM IIIB pottery this distinction was not
maintained (Popham 1984, 184-5). This stratigraphic
and stylistic evidence, however, is elaborated in this
chapter, where the terminology LM IIIB Early and Late
is preferred to LM IIIBi and LM IIIB2 as adopted at
Khania (Hallager and Hallager 2000; Rutter 2003, 250),
following Mountjoy's (19990, 51 5) warnings against the
adoption on Crete of terminology closely modelled on
the roughly contemporary LH sequence.
Evans (19060, n) originally associated LM IIIC
pottery with the beginning of Crete's post-Bronze Age
period, but subsequent research has made his classification
largely obsolete. The study of LM IIIC Crete
has been a particularly thriving field of research in recent
years (Nowicki 20000). Yet again the use of LM IIIB
Late or LM IIIC Early labels for certain settlements
has been debated (Hallager and Hallager 1997, 327-36;
Kanta 20030, 167). As noted by Rutter (2003), a
seriation of local ceramic sequences is necessary before
cross-island synchronisms can be established. Until the
discovery of a LM IIIC settlement at the SEX site, this
period was largely unknown at Knossos (Warren 1983).
Warren has opted for a LM IIIC label instead of LM
IIIB Late, further to emphasise that this is a new
settlement associated with new features in its material
culture (Warren 1983, 69-76; 1997, 181-3; forthcoming),
although he acknowledges the problem of
reaching an agreed terminology (Warren forthcoming).
This new settlement at Knossos has now been traced as
far as the Little Palace North site, where the distinction
between LM IIIB Late and LM IIIC Early pottery has
been maintained (Hatzaki 2005^).
At sites such as Kavousi, Thronos and Khania
archaeologists have been able to subdivide their LM
IIIC sequence into early, middle and late phases
(Hallager 2003, 105; Mook and Coulson 1997; D'Agata
1999; 2003). At Knossos, however, this phasing of LM
IIIC is not possible yet. Nevertheless, on the basis of
the ceramic material published so far (and of unpublished
assemblages studied by the author), the
Knossian LM IIIC material appears to correlate with
the earliest phase distinguished at these other Cretan
sites, as also recently confirmed by Warren (forthcoming
contra Warren 1983, 73). This Knossian LM
IIIC material includes settlement assemblages and
isolated specimens from funerary contexts (Cadogan
1967, fig. 2: 8, 11; Forsdyke 1927, fig. 12; Evans 1906^,
fig. 122; Popham 1978, pl. 25c, 1981, fig. 2, pl. 59d-h).
The next ceramic phase distinguishable at Knossos is
represented by material assigned to Sub-Minoan, i.e.
the Early Iron Age (Cadogan 1967, fig. 2: 4, 14, 18;
Popham 1981, pl. 59i). In conclusion, the Knossos
sequence from LM IIIC Early to Sub-Minoan needs
to be further examined in light of the stratigraphy from
the SEX and Little Palace North sites (still largely
unpublished): at the moment all one can say is that there
is no clear evidence at Knossos for the existence of
deposits later than the SEX Southern Half Group (LM
IIIC Early) and earlier than Sub-Minoan.
THE MUM SOUTH SECTOR GROUP (LM II)
Archaeological contexts (FIG. 6.2)
The MUM South Sector Group represents a clearly
defined ceramic phase, both stratigraphically and
stylistically, with extensive assemblages deriving from
both settlement and cemeteries. This group has been
named after the primary deposits found in situ in
the South Sector of the MUM (no. 10, below).
Deposits from the palace and its immediate vicinity
are all secondary (LM II, nos. 1-3) due to subsequent
and extensive rebuilding, whereas those from the
town are both primary (nos. 10-13) and secondary
(nos. 5, 7, 14).
The position of this group in the Knossian sequence
is demonstrated by deposit no. 13, which was stratified
directly above deposits of the previous group (SEX
North House Group, deposit no. 9), and by deposits
nos. 6, 8-9, 12, which were stratified beneath deposits
of the Long Corridor Cists Group (LM IIIAi).
Palace
1 ) Area of Cowboy Fresco (KSM L.I. 5: boxes 967-969;
Popham 19700, 36-41, figs. 88-9, pls. 28a-c, 46h-j,
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FINAL PALA TIAL (LM II-LM IIIA2) AND POSTPALA TIAL (LM IIIB-LM IIIC EARLY) 20 1
Fig. 6.2. MUM South Sector Group (LM II): location of deposits listed in the text.
1-m). The quantities of LM II pottery from this area
hint at destruction and subsequent rebuilding, although
the precise stratigraphical correlation with the
architecture (and other deposits?) of the region is not
clear (Popham 19700, 40-1).
2) South Front: Room of the Plaster Pits; tests H.I. 6
A-D (Momigliano and Hood 1994). These small fill
deposits provide a terminus post quern for the construction
of certain palace walls along the South Front
and firm evidence for extensive rebuilding, possibly
after a LM II destruction, as also suggested by deposit
no. 3 below.
3) South Front: dump above South House (KSM H.I. 1 :
boxes 785-786; KSM S. I.1-10 boxes 1595-1620;
Popham 19700, 57-60, figs. 8: 9, 13, 14: 90-4, 96-7,
pls. 4a, 9c, iod, 35-6; Mountjoy 2003). This is a huge
secondary fill, which provides indirect evidence for an
extensive site clearance from the palace (following a LM
II destruction?).
Town
4) Lower Gypsades: site of later Sanctuary of Demeter
(Coldstream 1973, 5-7, fig. 6). LM II levels were found
in soundings below the sanctuary.
5) MUM, North Platform: LM II pit cut into LM I fill
(Popham 1984, 93, pls. 9 Section 1 no. 7, 125). PostBronze
Age levels were found stratified above this pit.
6) MUM, North Sector, North Corridor: 'ash layer
accumulated on or slightly above the paving slabs'
associated with LM II pottery (Popham 1984, 89-90,
pls. 9 Section 1 no. 2, 119c, i2oc-d). A test below the
paving slabs revealed MM III-LM IA pottery (Popham
1984, 90), while the deposit stratified above the LM II
ash layer is assignable to LM IIIAi (Long Corridor Cists
Group, deposit no. 2).
7) MUM, North Sector, Room D: CLM II pit in rock'
also referred to in the publication as Pit 8 (Popham 1984,
11, pls. 1 1 ib-e, 1 12a). Stratified above this was deposit
no. 8 below.
8) MUM, North Sector, Room D: LM II ash level
(Popham 1984, 11, 90, pls. mb-e, 112a). This was
stratified above no. 7 above and below LM IIIAi (Long
Corridor Cists Group, deposit no. 3).
9) MUM, Central Sector, Room H: floor level and upper
levels (Popham 1984, 20, pls. 16-20, 50-88 with
references to catalogued pots, 89-97). This is
destruction debris associated with LM II pottery, which
was stratified beneath an earth floor associated with LM
IIIAi pottery (Long Corridor Cist Group, deposit no.
5) (Popham 1984, 18, pls. 12: Section 5 no. 17-19, 121a,
176: 7, 9).
10) MUM, South Sector, Rooms M, N, O, P, (^(Popham
1984, 53-89). These extensive floor deposits and an
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202 ELENI HATZAKI
upper-floor collapse were found stra
levels of the Gypsades Well Grou
1984, 152). The excavator explaine
IB levels as the result of the MUM b
in LM I A and abandoned until LM
261-2). See, however, deposit no 1
11) MUM, dump outside South
1984, 158, pl. 124). This is either
II deposit or it represents a very
(Popham 1984, 158, pl. 14 Section 8
has been heavily selected by the ex
left presents a mixture of feature
North House Group (LM IB) an
Sector Group (LM II). According to
drawing, this deposit must have b
above LM IA material (Popham 19
no. 3) and below LM II (Popham 1
8 no. 1, i23b-c).
12) SEX: South House destructio
1983, 93-8, figs. 12-16). Primary flo
above LM I levels (Warren 1983,
III A 1 (Long Corridor Cists Group
13) SEX: Gypsum House (Warren
figs. 5-1 1 ). Floor deposit of build
above LM IB basement rooms of the SEX North House
(see Chapter 5).
14) Royal Road: pit containing a deposit of LM II
pottery (Popham 1975, 374; Hood and Smyth 1981, 51,
nn. 214-15).
Cemeteries
Neopalatial graves and funerary structures reused in
LMII
15) Mavro Spelio: Tomb V (Forsdyke 1927, 258, fig.
10); tomb VII (Forsdyke 1927, 263, fig. 18).
16) Temple Tomb (Evans 1935, 1017, fig. 965; Hatzaki,
in preparation ^.Extensive amounts of LM II material
come from all parts of the building.
Graves constructed and used exclusively during LM II
17) Katsambas: Tombs A, F, A, E and Z (Alexiou 1967).
18) Isopata: tombs near the Tomb of the Double
Axes (Evans 1914): Tombs 1, iA, 3 {contra Warren
and Hankey 1989, who prefer a LM IIIAi date);
Tombs 5, 6.
19) Warrior Graves from the New Hospital Site
(Venizelio) (Hood and de Jong 1952).
20) East of Temple Tomb: Hutchinson's LM tomb
(Hutchinson 19560). Good LM II assemblage except
for one vase (FIG. 6.14: 1), which stylistically could
be assigned to LM IIIAi. This chamber tomb
significant, for it shows that pottery of the MUM
Sector Group (LM II) and of the Long Corridor
Group (LM IIIAi) occurs in the same tomb. The
number of tombs with overlapping styles suggests
the switch from LM II to LM IIIAi ceramics occurred
in a very short period of time.
Funerary structures and tombs constructed and first used
in LM II, but with later reuse
21) Isopata Royal Tomb, original interments (Evans
1906^).
22) Kephala Tholos, original interments (Hutchinson
1956^; Popham 1977, fig. ic, pl. 26c-d), including a
West Anatolian jug (Cadogan 1967, fig. 5: 13, pl. 50:
13).
23) Rock-cut tomb near the Temple Tomb (Evans 1935,
279, fig. 214; Popham 1981, 332-3).
24) Isopata: Tomb 2 (Tomb of the Double Axes) (Evans
1914).
25) Mavro Spelio: Tomb III (Forsdyke 1927, fig. 43);
tomb XIX (Forsdyke 1927, fig. 35); tomb IX (Popham
i98i,pl.58f).
Characteristics of the MUM South Sector
Group (LM II)
This account is based on direct observation of the
pottery available for study in KSM. Unfortunately,
many complete pots currently housed in the Herakleion
Museum were not accessible, thus preventing a more
detailed discussion of certain fabrics and wares.
Many fabrics (fine buff, coarse buff, coarse reddish
brown fabric), forms (rounded cup, double vase,
amphora) and decorative motifs (i.e. marine themes)
continue from the previous phase, but this group also
sees the increase of greenish coloured fabrics, the
presence of fewer and smaller inclusions in coarse
fabrics, and the appearance of new forms such as the
kylix and the squat alabastron.
The main fabrics are fine buff, soft and gritty buff,
coarse buff, coarse reddish brown and pithos fabric, as
in the Neopalatial period. As in the previous chapter,
the characteristic wares and relative forms are discussed
under the main fabrics in which they occur.
Fine buff fabric (including fine green)
Examples in this group often acquire a characteristic
dull light brown colour or, more usually, pale yellow; in
some cases the fabric has a distinctly greenish tinge,
which tends to be lighter near the surface. A few
specimens in a greenish fabric were already present in
LM IB assemblages (see Chapter 5), but in this group
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FINAL PALA TIAL (LM II-LM IIIA2) AND POSTPALA TIAL (LM IIIB-LM IIIC EARLY) 203
Fig. 6.j. MUM South Sector Group (LM II): (1-4) ky likes; (5) hollow-stemmed cup
in Dark-on- Light Ware, fine buff fabric (after Pop ham ig84, pls.i4g> 151, 156, 158).
they become more common. The author believes that
their greenish colour is probably due to firing the local
calcareous clay employed in the production of fine buff
vessels at a higher temperature (Jones 1986, 759), rather
than the exploitation of different clay beds (see Chapter
3 for late Prepalatial greenish fabrics). For this reason,
green and buff fabrics are here treated as one. The clay
paste tends to be quite fine, but sometimes there are
minute rounded impurities in black or white colour;
texture tends to be soft and porous, and the painted
decoration can be very fugitive.
Dark-on-Light Ware
The paint applied on pots in fine buff fabric can range
from 'smooth black to red-brown glaze, somewhat
lustrous though it has a tendency to flake off, whereas
that applied on. pots in green fabric tend to be 'fugitive
and, in some cases, hardly discernible' (Popham 1984,
63). Indeed, the surfaces of fine painted ware in this
group are usually less well preserved than those of LM
I or LM III pottery. One may also add that vessels from
tombs present particularly worn surfaces. It is possible
that the tomb environment, kouskouras in particular,
might be responsible for the poor preservation of surface
treatment (a tendency which sometimes continues into
LM III A 1 exclusively in pottery from burial contexts).
Normally, no traces of surface slip or indeed a lustrous
surface can be distinguished macroscopically. As already
mentioned, the bad quality of the paint has been
attributed to high firing temperatures, and in this
context one could suggest that the absence of any surface
slip and other treatments, combined with the greenish
colour of the clay paste, might all be caused by this
(Jones 1986, 759). For this reason, the classification of
fine wares in this group has not been based on the
presence or absence of slip or lustre.
The paint of Dark-on-Light Ware can be applied in
the following ways:
1) inside a frieze framed by bands, either exclusively
on the rim or on different parts of the vessel's body,
such as base, neck and handles (on one-handled
kylikes, ogival cups, bridge-spouted jars and beakspouted
jugs: FIGS. 6.3: 2, 5, 6.4: 2-4, 6.5: 1);
2) by applying a 'blob' of paint, probably by partially
dipping the vessel into paint: see, for example, the
shallow cup referred to by Popham as the 'blob cup'
(FIG. 6.4: 6);
3) by applying decorative motifs (usually inspired by
floral or marine themes) freely on the vessel's body
(FIGS. 6.3: 1, 3-4, 6.4: 7, 6.5: 3-5).
Decorative motifs applied freely on the vessel's body
are a hallmark of LM II that does not survive into the
succeeding period except on the Palace Style jars (for a
more detailed account see Popham 1984, 160-74). This
type of decoration can be viewed as a simplified version
of Betancourt's LM IB Special Palatial Tradition (1985,
pls. 20-1). The most minimalist version of a freely
applied decorative motif can be seen on the Ephyraean
version of the kylix where one motif occupies opposite
sides of the vessel's body (FIG. 6.3: 1, 3; Mountjoy 1983,
fig. 2, 1993, figs. 103-4; Popham 1994, pl. 149).
Subsidiary motifs are added as fillers (Popham 1984,
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204 ELENI HATZAKI
Fig. 6.4. MUM South Sector Group (LM II
fine buff fabric (after Popham ig84, pls. 15
166). Marine motifs (usually an abstract ver
octopus or argonaut), elaborate floral motifs o
crosses were particularly popular (Popham
8). Ephyraean decoration was also appli
globular version of the beaked jug (Popham
159: 1 ; Mount joy 1993, figs. 94, 100). A much
motif was the stylised version of the reed
the cup (Popham 1984, pl. 147: 3), bowl (198
6), pedestalled cup (1984, pl. 151: 8), reed
6.4: 7; Popham 1984, pl. 151: 10-1) and b
(Popham 1984, pls. 61: b-e, 99: g). Pictorial
especially birds, make an appearance in th
decorative repertoire (FIG. 6.6: 3), a style d
detail by Crouwel and Morris (1995). Motifs
manmade objects such as helmets, figur
shields, double axes and horns of consecration
rare and limited to specific types of vessels, a
even rarer are the depictions of human fig
6.5: 3). The most spectacular version of a freel
decoration is seen on the Palace Style jars, w
and centrally placed marine and floral m
elaborately filled in, usua
lines (Alexiou 1967, pl.
Decorative motifs applie
tradition in Knossian po
the frieze takes up one-h
upper body. For examp
(FIGS. 6.3: 2, 6.4: 1-4) fr
the rim band, whereas
piriform jars and palace
base of the neck (FIG. 6
and jugs three thin body
border. Decoration now
the same time more ela
is a tendency to fill in
feature very popular in
application of a row of
undulating line, a wavy l
above the main decorati
1984, pls. 5oa-e, 51I1, 5
4) the row of quirks u
(Popham 1984, pl. 57
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FINAL PALA TIAL (LM II-LM IIIA2) AND POSTPALA TIAL (LM IIIB-LM IIIC EARLY) 205
Fig. 6.5. MUM South Sector Group (LM II): (1-3) jugs; (4) bridge-spouted jug; (5) double vase;
(6) stirrup jar, all in Dark-on- Light Ware and fine buff fabric (2, 5, after Alexiou ig6jy pls. 4, 17; all
others after Popham 1984, pls. 152, 153, 158).
decorative motifs survives into LM IIIAi, especially
among the earliest examples, but very rarely beyond it.
Handles of cups, kylikes and bowls are barred or have
two rows of quirks (Popham 1984, 157). Popular motifs
are the alternating floral scrolls, floral hooks, iris
zigzags, iris buds, lily flowers, flower chains, floral spray
hooks, festoons, network patterns and spirals. A mottle
or sponge pattern was applied as the main decorative
motif on the exterior of small open vessels, usually
interrupted by a vertical row of quirks (FIG. 6.4: 5).
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206 ELENIHATZAKI
Fig. 6.6. MUM South Sector Group (LM
rhyton in Dark-on-Light Ware and fine
Popham 1984, pls. 154, 180).
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FINAL PALA TIAL (LM II-LM IIIA2) AND POSTPALA TIAL (LM IIIB-LM IIIC EARLY) 207
The same pattern was extensively applied as filler on
Palace Style jars. Mottle decoration is a useful dating
criterion, especially for Palace Style jars, since it does
not survive beyond the earliest phase of LM IIIAi (FIG.
6.9: 3), when it is applied only along the interior of
decorated cups.
The kylix, also referred to as the goblet, is the LM II
Knossian form par excellence (FIG. 6.3; see also Popham
1984, pls. 55-8, 82-3, 149-50). It occurs in three
different sizes: large (FIG. 6.3: 1-2; Popham 1984, pls.
54, 55a, f, 57h, 92a-b, 149: 1-5, 150: 1, 3, 5), medium
(FIG. 6.3: 3; Popham 1984, pls. 55b-c, 56b, 99a, 151: 6)
and small (FIG. 6.3: 4; Popham 1984, pls. 55d-h, s6c-e,
g, 57*-g, 58, 100b, 149: 6, 150: 2, 4, 6-7, 151: 1-5, 158:
1-5). A vessel previously interpreted as a lid due to the
occasional perforations in the walls of its pedestalled
foot (FIG. 6.3: 5; Popham 1984, pls. 59a-c, 151: 13;
Popham 19700, pl. iod) is here termed a hollow-stemmed
cup and is considered as the predecessor of the
champagne cup (FIG. 6.15: 6). The pedestalled cup (or
bowl) with the typical LM II everted rim (FIG. 6.4: 1;
Popham 1984, pls. 5ih-k, 151: 7-9) is a successor of
the LM IA bowl with raised ring foot (FIG. 5.14: 4): it
somehow resembles the LM IB cup-rhyton in form and
proportions (FIG. 5.23: 3; Warren 1981, figs. 27-8). The
LM II type bowl (FIG. 6.4: 2) derives from its LM IB
predecessor (FIG. 5.22: 9; see also Hazzidakis 1921, 29,
fig. 12 top row middle), but now has the typical LM II
everted rim (Popham 1984, pls. 52-3, 148: 5-8, 156:
13-14); it is usually c. 12 cm in height, with a rim
diameter of 17-18 cm; handles are of the roll type, set
horizontally below the everted rim. The rounded cup
(FIG. 6.4: 3) clearly evolves from its LM IB predecessor
(FIG. 5.22: 1-4): it now has a rounded body 8-9 cm in
height, equipped with a pronounced and everted rim,
14-15 cm in diameter, with a pulled-out spout at right
angles to the handle; the handle curves from mid-body
to lip and is of the roll type (Popham 1984, pls. 50, 147:
1, 3-4, 6-10, 156: 7, 157 a-b; Warren 1983, fig. 17).
Miscellaneous cups include: the cup with wishbone
handle (FIG. 6.4: 4; Popham 1984, pls. 5ie, 147: 5); the
shallow cup with inverted rim, c. 6.5 cm in height, which
lacks the typical LM II everted rim and is equipped
with a strap handle (FIG. 6.4: 5; Popham 1984, pls. 51b,
148: 2, and a smaller version on pl. 148: 3); the 'blob
cup' (FIG. 6.4: 6; Popham 1984, pls. 79b-d, 160: 2-3),
which is a shallow version of the one-handled cup, but
its handle can be of the roll or strap type. The so-called
reed cup is basically a decorated version of the smaller
ogival cup of LM IA-LM IB origins (FIG. 6.4: 7;
Popham 1984, pl. 160: 8-9): apart from differences in
fabric and surface treatment, the main criterion for
distinguishing the LM I and LM II versions is the rather
carelessly executed reeds, painted with thick nonjoining
brush strokes on the later vessels (Popham 1984,
pls. 59: d-i, 156: 8-9).
The beak-spouted jug with a pronouncedly piriform
shape (25 cm in height) (FIG. 6.5: 1; Popham 1984, pls.
6ob-e, 6ia-e; Warren 1983, fig. 16) also occurs in a
miniature version (Popham 1984, pl. 59J- k, m- n).
There is also a large globular beak-spouted jug, which
tends to be significantly larger than the piriform one
(FIG. 6.5: 2; Popham 1984, pls. 6if, 94a, 159: 1; Alexiou
1967, pls. 21 left, 22 left). The decorated collared jug is
less standardised in shape and size (FIG. 6.5: 3; Popham
1984, pls. 62a-b, 63c-d; Warren 1983, fig. 7) and also
occurs in a miniature version (Popham 1984, pl. 590).
The collared jug with a distinctly globular and rather
squat body is rare (Popham 1984, pl. 62d; Alexiou 1967,
pls. 20, 21 right, 22 right). The bridge-spouted jar has a
rather globular body with two horizontal roll handles
set high on the shoulder (FIG. 6.5: 4; Hood and de Jong
1952, fig. 11.III.3; Popham 1984, pls. 62e-f, 63c, 153:
1-2). The double vase (FIG. 6.5: 5; Evans 1914, fig. 46;
Alexiou 1967, pls. 2 P, 9 a-P) is made out of two
separately manufactured jugs linked by a cylindrical and
hollow lump of clay and by a basket-like handle; one
jug has a false spout, and the other a trefoil-mouthed
spout with a strainer; occasionally the vessel's rim is
adorned with birds (Alexiou 1967, pl. 9 a); this forms
seems to be restricted to LM IB and LM II.
The medium-sized short and ovoid stirrup jar (FIG.
6.5: 6; Popham 1984, pls. 64a-b, e, 158: 9; Warren 1983,
figs. 5, 18) also occurs in miniature (Popham 1984, pls.
64c, 158: 7). It can be equipped with two or three
handles, whereas the short and rather wide-mouthed
spout resembles its taller coarse counterpart; it too has
boss projections attached near the lip; all examples of
the short ovoid version in both fine and coarse fabrics
are decorated, usually with a frieze on the body's upper
half. The flask occurs but rarely (Popham 1984, pl. 92c).
The piriform jar (FIG. 6.6: 1) is basically a smaller version
of the Palace Style jar (see below and FIG. 6.9: 3): its
tall neck ends with a ledge rim, whereas the body is
distinctly piriform in shape. Handles can be set
vertically or horizontally on the body (Hood and de Jong
1952, figs. 10. 1.6-7, 11.III.5, 268).
The squat alabastron (FIG. 6.6: 2), which also appears
in fine Tin-coated Ware (Evans 1914, fig. 35), is
essentially identical to the upper part of the piriform
jar; it varies in shape and size: the smaller version has a
more rounded body, which resembles its Mycenaean
counterpart also in decoration (Evans 1914, fig. 67;
Hood and de Jong 1952, figs. 10.I.9, 10.II.2, 11.III.7-
8; Hutchinson 19560, fig. 2; Popham 1984, pl. 154: 3);
the larger version tends to be more conical in shape
(Popham 1984, pl. 154: 2). The pyxis (FIG. 6.6: 3;
Popham 1984, pls. 6sb-c, 66d, 154: 4, 155) is by no
means standardised: cylindrical and elliptical versions
occur, with or without handles, in fine and coarse
painted wares. Finally, the conical rhyton (FIG. 6.6: 4) is
also manufactured in Dark-on-Light Ware.
Monochrome Ware
A coat of usually brown black paint is applied all over,
producing a monochrome effect. Forms occurring in
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208 ELENI HATZAKI
Fig. 6.j. MUM South Sector Group (LM II): ky likes a
Popham 1984, pls. 140, 160).
this ware are as follows. The kylix appears in large (F
6.7: 1), medium and small versions (FIG. 6.7: 2), w
no significant morphological differences in compariso
with its Dark-on-Light Ware counterpart, except t
the smaller kylix also occurs in a one-handled vers
(Popham 1984, pls. 82a-g, 83). Other forms in this war
include the rounded cup (Popham 1984, pls. 81, 16
1 ), which resembles in shape the LM IB Dark-on-Li
version (FIG. 5.22) more than the LM II equivalent (FIG
6.4: 3). Also included are: the shallow cup, with an inc
circle on its inner base (FIG. 6.7: 4; Popham 1984,
160: 6), and the ogivalcup (or bowl) (FIG. 6.7: 5; Popham
1984, pl. 160: 7-9).
Plain Ware
No traces of lustrous surface are visible on vessels of
this category. The small kylix occurs in two or one
handled versions (FIG. 6.8: 1-2; Popham 1984, pls. 82:
a, d-f, 60: 16). The shallow cup (FIG. 6.8: 3-4; Popham
1984, pls. 80: a, third row, 160: 4-5) appears in roll or
strap-handled versions. The cup with wishbone handle
in Plain Ware (FIG. 6.8: 5; Popham 1984, pl. 84: b-c) is
slightly larger than its Dark-on-Light counterpart (FIG.
6.4: 4).Jfugs occur in cut-away neck and beaked versions
(FIG. 6.8: 7-8). The LM II conical cup (FIG. 6.8: 6) can
be described as a hybrid between its LM I predecessor
(FIG. 5.25: 3) and LM IIIA successor (FIG. 6.15: 9). It
is usually made of a finer clay and its surfaces are better
smoothed than in the earlier examples; it is taller than
the LM IA type, but shorter than the LM IIIA version;
it often has a slightly incurving rim and a wider base,
but a narrower rim diameter, compared with the LM
IIIA 1 version.
Tin-coated Ware
Evans (1906^; 19 14, 29) was the first to recognise the
application of a material other than paint on the pottery
found in the cemeteries of Knossos. Analyses have
shown that almost pure tin was used, in the form of tin
foils (Popham et al. 1974, 208, n. 9; Jones 1986, 794-5)
applied with the aid of an organic binder, possibly
colophony (Gillis et al. 1995). Tin-coated vessels would
have had a colour similar to silver, but if the tin foils
were heated prior to their application at a temperature
close to melting point they could have acquired a
colour resembling gold (Gillis and Bohm 1994, 223-
4). The tin-coating technique is also known from a MM
IIIB type conical cup (Alberti 2001, 179, no. 24, fig.
6e), but no such vessels have so far been reported from
LM IA and LM IB contexts. In LM II, the kylix
(Alexiou 1967, pl. 14 y left), the shallow cup (Alexiou
1967, pl. 14 y right), the jug (Evans 1914, fig. 36)
and the squat alabastron (Evans 1914, fig. 35) occur in
Tin-coated Ware.
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FINAL PALA TIAL (LM II-LM IIIA2) AND POS TPALA TIAL (LM IIIB-LM II IC EARLY) 209
Fig. 6.8. MUM South Sector Group (LM II): Plain Ware in fine buff fabric (after Popham 1984, ph. 160-1).
Soft and gritty buff fabric
This fabric has a long tradition at Knossos going back
to the Protopalatial period, when it was used primarily
for the manufacture of lamps (MacGillivray 1998, 86).
The LM II version is rather soft, with a sandy or gritty
feel, and yellowish to light brown colour. Polychrome
and Plain are the two main wares in this fabric.
Polychrome Ware
This ware involves the application of blue, red and black
paint on a white lime coated surface after the vessel
was fired (Jones 1986, 192). The only form produced is
the so-called polychrome goblet, with a wide doubleledged
rim and eight-shaped handles (FIG. 6.9: 1; Evans
1914, fig. 37, pl. 4).
Plain Ware
A soft and gritty fabric was extensively used for incense
burners, perhaps an interesting survival from the
Protopalatial period, when a comparable fabric was used
for manufacturing lamps (MacGillivray 1984, 86-7).
Among forms occurring in this ware, the short brazier
(FIG. 6.9: 2) is wheelmade with a shallow bowl, the rim
of which is indented by the rather large and heavy roll
handle; although there is considerable variation in shape,
all known examples are of the short type (without a high
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210 ELENIHATZAKI
Fig. 6.g. MUM
(LM II): (1-2) P
Plain Ware pots
fabric (after Ev
and de Jong 19
(3) Pa/ace Style
Slipped Lustrous
fabric (after Po
foot), which finds good parallels with
elsewhere (Muhly 1992, fig. 15; Geo
Coarse buff fabric (s)
Among the coarse buff fabric(s) th
isation, and petrographic analys
needed. On the who
with those on fine buff fabric: some vessels retain their
buff colour, with angular and rounded brown inclusions,
whereas others tend to acquire a greyish or greenish
colour with black inclusions. Wares produced include
vessels in Dark-on-Light Slipped Lustrous Ware, Darkon-Light
Ware and Plain Ware, as discussed below.
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FINAL PALA TIAL (LM II-LM IIIA2) AND POSTPALA TIAL (LM IIIB-LM II IC EARLY) 2 1 1
Fig. 6.10. MUM South Sector Group (LM II): (1-3) Dark-on-Light Ware and Plain Ware pots in coarse buff fabrics;
(4-6) Plain Ware pots in coarse reddish-brown fabric; (7) pithos (after Popham 1984, pls. 72, 73, 77, 87, 162).
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212 ELENIHATZAKI
Dark-on-Light Slipped Lustrous Wa
This ware is predominantly attest
IIIA Palace Style jars (FIG. 6.9: 3),
larger versions of the piriform jar
(see above and FIG. 6.6: 1). The exte
a thick buff slip which provided a
the application of elaborate decor
parable with those found on smaller
fabric. For an extensive discussion of the decorative
motifs used on Palace Style jars see Popham (1970^,
71-3) and Niemeier (1985).
Dark-on-Light Ware (non-lustrous)
The most common method of applying paint on vessels
made in a coarse fabric was directly on to the smoothed
unslipped surface. The paint, ranging in colour from
dull orange to brown black, has a matt appearance; it is
applied in bands, although the upper third or upper
half of the vessel's body is reserved for a very simple
and limited range of decorative motifs (reeds, running
spirals, circles with central cross). Running spirals do
not seem to occur on amphorae, nor do circles with a
central cross appear on stirrup jars, which may indicate
specific workshops. Among forms occurring in this
ware, the amphora (FIG. 6.10: 1; Popham 1984, pl.
72a-c) has a rather piriform shape and seems to be
quite standardised in size, with a height of 36-41 cm.
The coarse stirrup jar also has a rather piriform
shape, normally with roll handles attached to the disk
above the false spout (FIG. 6.10: 2; Popham 1984,
pls. 64d, 73a-e).
Plain Ware
Plain vessels in coarse buff fabric include the basin, in a
shallow (FIG. 6.10: 3) and taller version (Popham 1984,
pl. 871), and the bowl (Popham 1984, pl. 86c).
Coarse reddish brown fabric
This is very close to the fabric described in Chapter 5
(under the KS 178 Group), but now tends to have less
temper. Forms made in this fabric occur only in Plain
Ware and include the tripod cooking pot (FIG. 6.10: 4),
which is rather uniform in shape and size, with rim
diameter c. 14-17 cm and height c. 14-16 cm. It can be
provided with two horizontal roll handles (Popham
1984, pls. 86f-g, 162: 9-10) or with a single vertical roll
handle (Popham 1984, pls. 86h, 162: 11); legs are ovoid
or round in section. The cup with a rolled handle in
cooking pot fabric, with the typically LM II everted
rim, is another form occurring in this fabric (FIG. 6.10:
5; Popham 1984, pl. 162: 7-8), and so are the pedestalled
bowl (FIG. 6.10: 6; Popham 1984, pl. 162: 1), probably a
predecessor of the pedestalled brazier (FIG. 6.24: 3), the
so-called tray or dish (Popham 1984, 175) and the firebox
(Popham 1984, pl. 162: 4).
Pithos fabric
Large storage jars, considered as locally manufactured,
are made of coarse buff clays usually tempered with
large angular and rounded reddish and brown inclusions,
probably a variant of the coarse buff fabric
discussed above. Wares occurring in this fabric are
Dark-on-Light Slipped and Plain Relief Ware.
Dark-on-Light Slipped Ware
Matt paint is applied on the smoothed surface.
Decoration includes dripping paint near the rim and
letting it dribble along the body of the pithos (Popham
1984, pls. 77b, d, 78b) or placing bands on the lower
body, reserving the upper part for a repeated simple
decorative motif of running spirals, circles or reeds in a
single row. These motifs are comparable with those
applied on contemporary coarse buff amphorae and
stirrup jars, but the trickle decoration seems to be
reserved for pithoi. Forms occurring in this ware
include piriform pithoi (FIG. 6.10: 7; Popham 1984, pls.
75-8), with close morphological and stylistic similarities
to pithoi from LM IB contexts (Warren 1981, 81, fig.
22-3): it is indeed clear that earlier pithoi continued to
be used in later contexts (thus, the MUM pithos bearing
a Linear A inscription may have been manufactured in
LM IB: Popham 1975; Popham 1984, pl. 76d).
Plain Relief Ware
The incised rope decoration of the rather globular pithos
from the MUM (Popham 1984, pl. 78a-b) resembles
the LM IIIA examples from the West Magazines of the
palace at Knossos (FIG. 6.24: 6-7); its shape and ledged
rim also resemble a pithos in Dark-on-Light Slipped
Ware discussed above (Popham 1984, pl. 78b).
Relative chronology of the MUM South Sector
Group (LM II)
Synchronisms with other Cretan sites
In seeking to establish synchronisms between this group
and deposits from the rest of the island (TABLE 6.1)
both Knossian imports and locally produced Knossian
look-alikes are useful. In west and central Crete, both
imports from Knossos and Knossian look-alike local
products have been confirmed at Kommos (Watrous
1992, 121) and Khania (Hallager 1990). Eastwards
perhaps the most striking change can be observed at
Mallia, a former palatial centre with major local
workshop(s) in the Neopalatial period. Here the LM II
(and LM IIIAi) settlement and cemetery deposits are
dominated by either imported Knossian fine wares or
locally produced look-alikes (van Effenterre and van
Effenterre 1963, pl. 48c; Pelon 1970, pl. 16: 5, 17-18).
At other sites further east, however, an overlap between
Knossian LM II and east Cretan LM IB-style ceramic
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FINAL PALA TIAL (LM II-LM IIIA2) AND POS TPALA TIAL (LM IIIB-LM IIIC EARLY) 2 1 3
TABLE 6. 1 : Selected Cretan sites with deposits contemporary with the MUM South Sector
Group (LM II).
West Crete
Khania: Kastelli courtyard dump 5-012 and House IV, pit 5-007 (Hallager and Tzedakis 1985, fig. 11; Hallager 1990)
North-Central Crete
Archanes (Sakellarakis and Sapouna-Sakellaraki 1997, 448-9).
South-Central Crete
Kommos: Deposits 16-24 (Watrous 1992)
Mallia / Lasithi
Mallia: House E, level IIIB (Pelon 1970, pls. 26: 3-5 and 17-19, 20: 6; 21: 2, 27: 1, 42a-j; Deshayes and Dessenne 1959,
pl. LXVIIe-f); Quartier Nu, destruction deposit (Farnoux 1989/*, pl. 262a-b; Driessen and Farnoux 1994, 56, pl. 2: 1).
East Crete
Palaikastro: Well 605 Deposits 2-3 (MacGillivray et al. 1998, 233 fig. 10; MacGillivray, forthcoming)
production, although a tempting solution to explain the
absence of identifiable LM II destruction deposits
beyond Knossos, remains highly speculative. It is likely
that ceramic production may vary considerably in
different regions as a result of varying levels of Knossian
influence (or even political control). For example, at
Palaikastro LM II imports from Knossos have been
confirmed, but the locally produced contemporary
pottery bears no resemblance to Knossian products (e.g.
it is significant that this eastern site never produced
kylikes: Hatzaki, forthcoming b). A similar picture will
probably emerge at Zakros and other sites in eastern
Crete, as has already happened at Mochlos (Brogan et
al. 2002, 105). The question of synchronisms between
north-central Crete and eastern Crete during this period
is particularly difficult, as the number of east Cretan
imports at Knossos is extremely small (e.g. Popham
1984, pl. 80b, bottom row, second from right).
Synchronisms with the Aegean and east
Mediterranean
For the MUM South Sector Group ceramic synchronisms
with the Greek mainland are established more on
the basis of mainland-inspired new shapes and
decorative motifs than actual imports. Imports are few,
and include a fragmentary LH IIA jug with ogival
canopy decoration (compare Popham 1984, pl. 103b and
Jones 1986, 452, with Mountjoy 1993, fig. 85) and an
open vessel (bowl?) with dotted scale pattern and
swastikas (compare Popham 1984, pl. 103c bottom with
Cummer and Schofield 1984, pl. 75: 1164). Newly
introduced and locally manufactured shapes are
associated with specific activities, such as feasting and
mortuary practices. Newcomers are the kylix (also called
goblet in LM II), the trough-spouted jug (Popham 1984,
pl. 152: 2), and the squat alabastron (Alberti 1999), of
which the earliest versions are clumsily manufactured,
as potters were experimenting with a new shape.
Ephyraean-inspired decoration occurs on the kylix
(Popham 1978, 181, n. 13; Mountjoy 1983, 270-1), but
also on shapes with a strong Cretan tradition such as
the beak-spouted jug with a globular or piriform body
(Alexiou 1967, pl. 47; Popham 1984, pl. 159: 1; Hood
and de Jong 1952, figs. II. 1, III. 2) and, occasionally, on
Palace Style jars (Alexiou 1967, pl. 4: a). The sponge
decoration typical of LM II Knossos, if mainlandinspired
(and not vice versa), is particularly popular in
LH IIB Korinthia, but not in the Argolid (Mountjoy
1999/7, 200). The triad piriform jar- alabastron- kylix,
as seen in funerary contexts of the mainland, and
particularly of the Argolid, is another mainland feature
introduced to Knossos in LM II (Alberti 2004). Outside
Crete, Knossian LM II imports are few: the pictorial
piriform jar (Benzi 1992, pl. 32a), the Palace Style jar
(Benzi 1992, pl. 10a), and the large beaked jug with a
globular body (the last two in a similar fabric: Benzi
1992, pl. 158a) found at Ialysos on Rhodes are probably
from Knossos, but they were antiques when deposited
in LH IIIA2-B tombs.
Traditionally, LM II is considered contemporary
with the late reign of Tuthmose III (co-regency with
Amenhotep II) and the early reign of Amenhotep III
(Hankey and Leonard 1998, 33; Warren and Hankey
1989, 118), but Manning (1999, 209) links this period
to the early part of Tuthmose Ill's reign. Unfortunately,
no LM II exports to Cyprus, the East and Egypt have
been identified (Manning 1999, 209; Warren and
Hankey 1989, 145-6; Hankey and Leonard 1998, 33).
The closest link is the LH IIB alabastron from the Tomb
of Kaket at Kahun, which provides a late Tuthmose III
date (Eriksson 1992, 185-6). At Knossos, the ten 18th
Dynasty stone vases in the Isopata Royal Tomb
represent the largest group of Near Eastern artefacts
ever found in a single context on Crete. These vessels
are associated with the LM II interments within the
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214 ELENIHATZAKI
Fig. 6.1 1. The Long Corridor Cists Gro
tomb (Evans 1904, 144-5, fig- I25? Warren
Karetsou et al. 2000, figs. 232a-237). T
Palestinian stone-footed cup from the Te
(Evans 1935, fig. 958; Karetsou et al. 2000
although probably from an LM II context
preparation <;), does not provide a narr
chronological link to the Near East (Warren
Finally, Rutter (2006) has highlighted a lin
Crete and west Anatolia in the form of R
Ware imports to Kommos and Knossos. At
in particular, there is a noteworthy conce
Anatolian red-slipped one-handled jar
horizontal side handle from LM II contexts: the MUM
(Popham 1984, pl. 86: a-b), the Temple Tomb (Hatzaki,
in preparation c), the Kephala Tholos (Cadogan 1967,
fig. 5: 13, pl. 50: 13), and Katsambas Tomb Z (Alexiou
1967, pl. 17 P).
THE LONG CORRIDOR CISTS GROUP
(LM IIIAi)
Archaeological contexts (FIG. 6.1 1)
The deposits assigned to this group come from both
settlement and funerary contexts. The settlement
deposits are usually secondary, except for a floor deposit
in the MUM (deposit no. 5, below), found stratified
above LM II. The debris fill from the MUM North
Corridor deposit (no. 2) provides the most comprehensive
assemblage for characterising this group; it also
offers further stratigraphic evidence for establishing the
position of this group within the Knossian sequence,
since it was found directly above a deposit of the
preceding group, while deposits nos. 6, 8, and 10 are
stratified beneath assemblages assigned to the following
(LM IIIA2) MUM Pits 8, 10-11 Group.
Palace, West Wing
1) Long Corridor Cists (KSM D. IV. 2-9: boxes 513-
517; Evans 1903, 28-35; Popham 19700, 50-3, fig. 10:
17-36, pl. 11). The cists were discovered during a series
of tests conducted in the West Magazines, beneath the
gypsum paving slabs of the Long Corridor: they were
filled with redeposited building debris and pottery
which provide a terminus post quern for the subsequent
destruction of the palace as well as evidence for repairs
and modifications which took place in this part of the
building before it happened.
Town
2) MUM, deposit in North Corridor (Popham 1984,
pls. 1 16-17, 171-2, 176: 1, 3-6). This redeposited
destruction debris contains mostly one-handled
decorated cups of the ledge-rim variety and, more
significantly, the earliest examples of the 'champagne
cup' (Popham 1984, pl. 172: 6). This secondary deposit
was found stratified above LM II (MUM South Sector
Group, deposit no. 6). A join between this deposit
and no. 3 below confirms that this debris originated
within the MUM.
3) MUM, Room D (Popham 1984, 90, pl. 112: d): debris
stratified above LM II (MUM South Sector Group,
deposit no. 8). There are joins between this deposit and
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FINAL PALA TIAL (LM II-LM IIIA2) AND POSTPALA TIAL (LM IIIB-LM IIIC EARLY) 2 1 5
no. 2 above (fragments belonging to the pyxis lid
illustrated in FIG. 6.14: 2, bottom left).
4) MUM, Corridor E, west end (Popham 1984, pl. 11,
Section 3, level 11, pls. 113, 176: 8): a primary deposit
of fairly complete pottery stratified above bedrock and
beneath LM IIIA2 (MUM Pits 8, 10-1 1 Group, deposit
no. 20). See, contra, Popham (1984, 12-13), wh° dated
this deposit to LM II.
5) MUM, floor deposit above Room H (Popham 1984,
18, pls. 121: a, 176: 7, 9). A primary deposit stratified
above LM II (MUM South Sector Group, deposit no.
9). Post-Bronze Age activities have eliminated any
superimposed Bronze Age levels (Popham 1984, 18, pl.
12: a, Section 5).
6) SEX, Trench Q, levels 8-13 (Warren 1997,
figs. 5-9): fill stratified above LM II (MUM South
Sector Group, deposit no. 12) and including an
LH IIIAi import (Warren 1997, fig. 8). This fill predates
the foundation of Wall 1 (Warren 1997, 158-9,
fig. 4): superimposed levels associated with this wall
contained pottery datable to the succeeding group
(Warren 1997, 159).
7) SEX, Trench T: levels associated with the lowest
courses of the large circular platform (Warren 1983,
fig. 20, 1997, figs. 11, 2nd row, 12: P200, P389, P2162,
P1986, P1689, P1625). The excavator noted that 'the
large platform directly overlay an LM II wall in trench
T and the adjacent smaller platform directly overlay
more of the same LM II building' (Warren 1997, 161).
This material is stratified below deposit no. 8 below.
8) SEX, Trench T: levels associated with the upper
courses of the large circular platform representing 'its
final use, or use of the upper course only or disuse'
(Warren 1997, 161). This material is stratified above
the previous deposit (no. 7) and below LM IIIA2
(Warren 1997, 162; see below, MUM Pits 8, 10-11
Group, deposit no. 23).
9) SEX Trench X (Warren 1997, fig. 25): levels 27/
1883, 53/1946-9 and 54 were found stratified above a
LM II building associated with LM II and LM IIIAi
pottery (Warren 1997, fig. 12: P1694, PJ695, P1697,
P1612, figs. 26-7, fig. 28: P756, P1714). Warren
notes that these levels are in effect earlier than the
large circular platform, since they were found at a
depth lower than the lower course of this structure
in Trench T (Warren 1997, 173-4). This deposit
was stratified beneath LM IIIB Early (see p. 235,
Makritikhos 'Kitchen' Group, deposit no. 17; Warren
1997, 172).
10) Little Palace North: levels associated with
foundation of curb and arrangement of white plaster
floor immediately north of the Little Palace's north
facade (Blackman 2002, 107-8; Whitley 2003, 81).
Stratified above bedrock and below LM IIIA2 (MUM
Pits 8, io-ii Group, deposit no. 18).
Cemeteries
11) Katsambas: Tomb B (Alexiou 1967, 6-1 1, pls. 5, 7
y-5, 12 a-P).
12) Isopata Tomb 4 (Evans 19 14, 18-20, figs. 28-31).
13) Sellopoulo: Tombs 3 and 4 (Popham et ah 1974).
14) Zapher Papoura: Tombs 1, 5, 6, 7, 10a, 25, 44, 51,
55, 62, 64, 65, 66, 67, 68, 70, 76, 95, 96 (Evans 1906^;
Hatzaki, in preparation d).
15) Mavro Spelio (Forsdyke 1927, pl. 23, bottom
photograph, top row).
16) Upper Gypsades: Tombs 1,2, 14, 15 (Hood et ah
1959, figs. 26, 30).
17) Temple Tomb (Hatzaki in preparation d). A small
number of vessels confirm continued activities in this
phase.
Characteristics of the Long Corridor Cists
Group (LM IIIAi)
The vigorous selection process applied by Evans and
Mackenzie to the ceramic material they excavated meant
that their definition of the Knossian pottery phases was
largely based on a restricted number of fine and mostly
decorated pots: the LM IIIAi ceramic phase is no
exception. Later, this approach was also pursued by
other scholars (Popham 1984; Warren 1997), who
excavated good stratigraphical contexts and sequences,
in an attempt to link their deposits to those excavated
by Evans. As a result, the one-handled ledge-rimmed
decorated cup (FIG. 6.12: 1-4) and the plain kylix (FIG.
6. 1 5: 4-5) have become the 'type-fossils' for LM IIIAi .
The following discussion partly reflects the state of
scholarship on this ceramic phase, which is largely
determined by the types of vessels selected and
illustrated by excavators at Knossos.
All fabrics of the previous group continue, but the
greenish one becomes rare. Forms and decorative motifs
also show continuity, but there are distinct variations
in details such as the shape of the rim or the foot in the
kylix, making it relatively easy to assign individual
specimens or assemblages to this or the preceding group.
The main fabrics in this group are fine buff (and
rarely greenish), coarse buff, coarse reddish brown, soft
and gritty buff, and pithos fabric. Wares and forms are
discussed under their appropriate fabric category.
Fine buff fabric
This is usually medium soft to hard, and exhibits a light
buff or buff pink colour. The characteristic pale yellow
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21 6 ELENI HATZAKI
Fig. 6.12. The Long Corridor Cists Group (LM IIIAi): Da
fabric (after Popham 1984, pl. ij2, except for 5, after Ho
to greenish colour common in the previous group is
still present, but rarely. It is very difficult to distinguish
the presence of a slip macroscopically, especially since
core and surface have usually the same colour. The wares
that occur in this fabric are Dark-on-Light Lustrous,
Dark-on-Light Lustrous and Relief, Monochrome
Plain, and Tin-coated.
Dark-on-Light Lustrous Ware
Paint ranges from black to yellowish brown, and from
orange to bright red, usually with a glossy finish, unless
the fabric is soft and greenish in colour, in which case
the paint is fugitive, a LM II trait that does not survive
beyond this period. The paint is usually thickly applied,
thus not leaving the feather-like brush stroke typical of
LM I pottery. As in the previous ceramic phase, pottery
from settlement contexts can be excellently preserved
(Popham 1984, pl. 116), whereas pots from funerary
contexts tend to have worn surfaces (Hood et al. 1959
244-5). Paint is applied in a series of bands on the rim
and other parts of the body
within a frieze always occupyin
Cretan LM IIIAi decorative m
inspiration) have been discu
Popham (1984, 181-2). The di
to the Knossian repertoire. Mot
become standard on small and medium-sized vessels in
a fine buff fabric (FIG. 6.12; Popham 1984, pl. 171). The
frieze usually occupies about one-third of the vessel's
body. On one-handled cups it is applied immediately
below the rim, whereas on closed forms, such as the
beaked jugs and piriform jars, it is applied on the
shoulder (FIGS. 6.12, 6.13; Popham 19700, pl. 3a; Hood
et al. 1959, fig. 26). The row of quirks, popular in LM
II, occurs less frequently, whereas foliate bands and
undulating lines are most common. The row of repeated
motifs becomes the norm: the iris cVs', zigzags, festoon
patterns, alternating arcs, foliate bands, chain of stylised
flowers and the net pattern being among the most
common ones (Popham 19700, figs. n-15). Pictorial
decoration, a common feature of LM II, does survive
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FINAL PALA TIAL (LM II-LM IIIA2) AND POSTPALA TIAL (LM IIIB-LM IIIC EARLY) 2 1 7
Fig. 6.13. The Long Corridor Cists Group (LM IIIAi): Dark-on-Light Lustrous Ware Jugs and jars in fine
buff fabric (after Hood et al 1959, fig. 26, except for 4, after Hat zaki, in preparation d).
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2l8 ELENIHATZAKI
Fig. 6.14. The Long Corridor Cists Group (L
fig 1: 9, Popham 1g84.pl ii6, Hood et al 195
7967, pl. 5); (5) Dark-on-Light Slipped Lustrous
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FINAL PALA TIAL (LM II-LM IIIA2) AND POSTPALA TIAL (LM IIIB-LM IIIC EARLY) 2 1 9
into LM III A 1 on pyxides and tall alabastra (Popham
19700, figs. 5: 2, 6: 3), but does not continue into the
succeeding ceramic phase. Mottle or sponge pattern is
no longer applied on the exterior of vessels, as in LM
II, but occurs on the interior of one-handled ledgerimmed
cups (FIG. 6.12: 1). The same decorative
motifs can be traced on the Palace Style jars (Niemeier
19820, pls. 4-9).
The most common forms occurring in Dark-onLight
Lustrous Ware are as follows. The one-handled cup
(FIG. 6.12: 1-3; Popham 19700, 68-9, type A) has a
shallower and less bulbous shape than its LM II
predecessor (FIG. 6.4: 3); its short horizontal and sharply
defined ledge rim, referred to by Warren as a 'tight' rim
(1997, 178) is its most characteristic feature; less wellexecuted
examples lack this sharply defined rim.
Normally the cup's interior is painted monochrome or,
infrequently, left plain with only an interior rim band;
when sponge pattern, an LM II hangover, is applied, the
interior rim is outlined and a circle is added on the
interior base (FIG. 6.12: 1). A smaller version of the onehandled
cup also occurs (FIG. 6.12: 4). The shallow cup
with a rounded lower body (FIG. 6. 12: 5; Popham 19700,
69, type C) is close to Furumark's (19410) FS 219.
Various LM II shapes do not survive into LM IIIAi,
such as the bowl, the 'blob cup' and the reed cup. The
decorated kylix becomes extremely rare (FIG. 6.12: 6).
The beaked jug with a distinctly piriform body is by far
the most popular form (FIG. 6.13: 1; Evans 1906^, figs.
75, 117: 64 a). The miniature jug (FIG. 6.13: 2) and the
jug with a cut-away rounded mouth (FIG. 6. 13: 3) also occur
in this ware. The stirrup jar follows the trend of other
closed vessels in having a distinctly piriform shape and
is in a variety of sizes (FIG. 6.13: 5; Evans 1906^, fig. 114:
ib, 25a, 55d, 76d; Popham 1984, pl. 64a-b); the false
spout can be elaborately decorated, handles are barred
or outlined, whereas the base of handles and neck is
outlined (Evans 1906^, fig. 14). Other shapes in this ware
include the piriform jar (FIG. 6.13: 4), the tall alabastron
(FIG. 6. 14: 1). The cylindrical pyxis (FIG. 6. 14: 2, top row)
is associated with a flat lid (FIG. 6. 14: 2, bottom row, left),
and occurs in a variety of sizes, with a rim diameter range
of 18-20 cm. Among the rhyta, only the conical type
continues: this can be equipped with an elaborate handle
rising high above the rim and a distinctly ledge rim (FIG.
6.14:3).
Dark-on-Light Lustrous and Relief Ware
This specialised and rare category seems to be limited
to LM III A 1 and LM IIIA2 and is associated with
elaborately decorated beaked jugs (FIG. 6.14: 5; Warren
1997, fig. 27; Paribeni 1905, fig. 6; Tzedakis 1969^, fig.
2; Kanta 1980, pl. 88: 5).
Dark-on-Light Slipped Lustrous Ware
Severalflask fragments, made in extremely fine ceramic
pastes, ranging in colour from red to reddish brown
and dark grey, are known from various Knossian
contexts of this and the succeeding ceramic group, but
fabric analyses are needed to confirm their provenance
(FIG. 6.14: 5; Popham 19700, 76). The vessel's surface
is covered by a creamy pink slip, often rather thick, and
the paint is of a reddish brown colour (Evans 1935, figs.
959-60; Hatzaki in preparation c).
Monochrome Ware
The following forms are attested in this ware: the kylix
(FIG. 6.15: 1; Warren 1997, fig. 9, bottom right), the
rounded cup (FIG. 6.15: 2) and the bowl (FIG. 6.15: 3;
Warren 1997, fig. 12: P1689).
Plain Ware
The kylix occurs in a variety of sizes, in a double or single
strap-handled variety (FIG. 6.15: 4-5). Although rare,
the champagne cup (FIG. 6.15: 6) undoubtedly first
appears in this group, but it its rim or bowl shape does
not seem to be standardised (Popham 1984, pls. 117c,
176: 6; Warren 1997, fig. 28: P756, P1714): all examples,
however, appear to have a concave foot. The shallow cup
(FIG. 6.15: 7) evolves from the LM II 'blob', monochrome
and plain versions; in LM IIIAi it has a
distinctly shallower bowl (in comparison with the earlier
versions), a ledge rim, strap handle and flat base. The
shallow bowl with two horizontal handles has a distinctly
'metallic' appearance; its rim is of the ledge type, the
bowl is more conical than in later examples, and ends
with a ring base; handles can be of the strap or roll type
(FIG. 6.15: 8). Although it is not yet possible to
distinguish between LM IIIAi and LM IIIA2 conical
cups (FIG. 6.15: 9; Popham 1984, pl. 161: 1-4), it is
possible to trace changes from the preceding LM II
period. Later conical cups tend to be taller and with a
wider rim, which can be slightly flaring or inturning, and
have a narrower base (Popham 1984, pls. 172:1, 176: 2-
3); they are generally extremely well manufactured. The
beaked jug is identical in shape to the Dark-on-Light
Lustrous version (FIG. 6.13: 1; Evans 1906^, fig. 118: 71).
Tin-coated Ware
This continues unchanged from LM II into LM IIIAi
(see above, p. 208). Tin-coated vessels have been found
in the forms of kylix and conical cup (Popham et al. 1 974,
figs. 7: 3/6, 3/4, 9: 4/2, 4/3, 4/12; Hatzaki in
preparation d), identical in shape to those in Plain Ware
(FIG. 6.15:4, 5,9).
Coarse buff fabric
This fabric continues from the previous group without
much variation. The wares occurring in this fabric are
Dark-on-Light Slipped, Dark-on-Light and Plain.
Dark-on-Light Slipped Ware
Palace Style jars show subtle developments from the
previous group (FIG. 6.16: 1; for more detailed
discussions see Popham 19700, 71-3; Niemeier 19820).
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220 ELENIHATZAKI
Fig. 6.15. The Long Corridor Cists Gr
fabric (after Popham 1984, pls. 172, 176;
As on smaller vessels, decoration tends t
a series of friezes on the upper and mid
bands cover the base and lower body. Th
preference for floral and abstract motif
themes becoming less popular after LM
visible in smaller vessels.
Dark-on-Light Ware
The piriform jar (FIG. 6.16: 2), essentially a smaller
version of the Palace Style jar, the tall stirrup jar (FIG.
6.16: 3), the amphora (Popham 1984, pl. 1 13: e) and the
basin (for shape see FIG. 6.16: 4) are found in this ware.
Plain Ware
Several basins (FIG. 6.16: 4) were manufactured in this
ware, in various fabrics. Typical of this LM IIIAi group
is the distinctive bent over and flattened rim, which is
unlike that found on LM IIIA2 (FIG. 6.24: 4) and LM
IIIB (FIG. 6.33: 1) versions, where the rim is square in
section and projects well beyond the vessel's body.
Soft and gritty buff fabric
This fabric type continues from LM II and occurs in
Plain and in Polychrome wares.
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FINAL PALA TIAL (LM II-LM IIIA2) AND POSTPALA TIAL (LM IIIB-LM NIC EARLY) 22 1
Fig. 6.16. The Long Corridor Cists Group (LM IIIAi): pottery in coarse buff fabric; (1-3) Palace
Style, piriform and stirrup jars in Dark-on-Light and Dark-on-Light Slipped wares (after Warren
1 997 > fig- 7; Popham et al 1Q74, pl. 34); (4) basin in Plain Ware (from MUM North Corridor no.
11, author's illustration).
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222 ELENI HATZAKI
Polychrome Ware
This continues from the previous
209). Forms include the tall brazie
Tomb (Evans 1935, pl. 35). The low
from LM II (Alexiou 1967, pl. 7 y)
Plain Ware
The wheelmade tall brazier (Alexiou 1967, pl. 8, cat.
nos. 9-10, 12-15) possibly appears in this group for the
first time.
Coarse reddish brown fabric
This fabric continues virtually unchanged from the
previous groups in Plain Ware.
Plain Ware
Forms in this ware include tripod cooking pots in sizes
ranging from small to large (FIG. 6. 17: 1-2) with everted
rims and horizontal handles of the roll type, with legs
ovoid in section; in the small size version the rim is
pulled to form a spout.
Pithos fabric
This fabric continues from the previous group and
occurs in Plain and Relief wares, but no examples have
been published yet from contexts assigned to this group.
Fig. 6.17. The Long Corridor Cists Group (LM
IIIAi): pottery in coarse reddish brown fabric (from
MUM North Corridor, 11, author's illustration).
Relative chronology of the Long Corridor Cists
Group (LM IIIAi)
Synchronisms with other Cretan sites
Throughout Crete, synchronisms between the Long
Corridor Cists Group and other regional ceramic
productions are easy to establish through Knossian
imports or locally manufactured Knossian look-alikes
(TABLE 6.2). Ceramic production centres can be
separated into those deliberately imitating Knossian fine
wares (and/or importing Knossian products) and those
continuing the regional trends of the preceding
Neopalatial period. For sites beyond the north-central
Cretan belt, which departed from their Neopalatial local
production traditions, a Knossian influence becomes
even more visible in LM IIIAi. Such sites include
Chamalevri and Khania in the west, Ayia Triada,
Phaistos and Kommos in the Mesara, and Mallia and
Kastelli Pediados in the Mallia / Lasithi region.
In sharp contrast, east Cretan production centres
such as Gournia, Pseira, Palaikastro and Zakros,
although importing central Cretan fine decorated wares,
continued their own ceramic traditions vigorously.
Mochlos and the area of Viannos (Myrtos, Psari
Phorada, Kera Limaniotisa, Tertsa: see Banou and
Rethemiotakis 1997) seem to be on the borders of two
worlds where central and eastern Cretan wares appear
side by side. This makes these sites of great importance
for establishing ceramic synchronisms between east,
central and west Crete. This marked dichotomy between
east and central-west Crete is directly related to
Knossian political control and economic interests as
emerging through the Linear B archives of the palace
at Knossos (Bennet 1985; 1990; Driessen 2001).
Synchronisms with the Aegean and east
Mediterranean
Beyond Crete, Knossian exports are few, but LH IIIA
imports to Knossos, although equally scarce, are
important for establishing synchronisms with the Greek
mainland and beyond. These include the two-handled
trough-spouted LH IIIAi jug from Burial I at
Sellopoulo tomb 4 (Popham et al 1974, 205, pl. 34c).
All three burials in this tomb, including Burial III,
which is associated with the scarab of Amenhotep III,
belong to the Long Corridor Cists Group, which is here
assigned to LM IIIAi {contra Manning 1999, 229, who
prefers a LM IIIA2 date for this tomb). In SEX Trench
(^(deposit no. 6 above) a LH IIIAi piriform jar and an
alabastron fragment with net pattern (Furumark 1941a,
FS 93, FM 57) were found (Warren 1997, 160). Zapher
Papoura (deposit no. 14 above) yielded a LH IIIA2 flask
(Evans 1906^, fig. 117: 76c; Popham 1970a, pl. iof),
thus suggesting that the Long Corridor Cists Group
partly overlaps with LH IIIA2. Some of these mainland
imports are comparable with pottery from the Argolid
(for the jug see Blegen 1937, fig. 704; Sheldon 1996,
17; for the flask see Blegen 1937, fig. 706: 541, 1101;
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FINAL PALA TIAL (LM II-LM IIIA2) AND POSTPALA TIAL (LM IIIB-LM IIIC EARLY) 223
TABLE 6.2: Selected Cretan sites with deposits contemporary with the Long Corridor Cists
Group (LM IIIAi).
West Crete
Khania: Chamber tomb at Odos K. Manou (Theophanides 1949, figs. 23-5); Tomb 11 at Odos Palama (Hallager and
McGeorge 1992, 18-20, pls. 17-20, fig. 16); Aikaterini Square (Tzedakis and Hallager 1983, fig. 6).
Chamalevri: Kakavella ridge Stratidaki field (Andreadaki-Vlasaki and Papadopoulou 1997).
North-Central Crete
Amnisos: Area H (Schafer 1992, pl. 43: 4; Kanta 1980, fig. 14: 3 (top row), 5 (left), 7); Area E (Schafer 1992, pl. 53: 1).
Archanes: Tourkogeitonia, Fill E (Andrikou 1991, fig. 31); Tourkogeitonia, under Stones 1-4 (Andrikou 1991, figs. 31-2).
South-Central Crete
Phaistos: Le tombe del nobili (Savignoni 1905, figs. 42-6).
Kommos: Deposits 25-29, 32, 36-37 (Watrous 1992).
Mallia / Lasithi
Mallia: Tomb west of the church of Ayia Pelagia (van Effenterre and van Effenterre 1963, pl. 48a, c, g).
East Crete
Gournia: Aisa Langadha pithos burial (Boyd-Hawes et al. 1908, 46, pls. 10.13-26)
Mochlos: Tombs 10 and 15 (Soles and Davaras 1996, figs. 20-1, 25-6, pls. 60b, 63a, c-d).
Pseira: Building DA Context 1 (Betancourt and Davaras 1999, 268: 2768, figs. 56-7 DA 67-91; Betancourt et al. 1997).
Palaikastro: Well 576, Deposit 5 (MacGillivray et al. 1998, 237 fig. 14.6-8; Hatzaki forthcoming b). Well 605 Deposit 4a and 4b
(MacGillivray et al. 1998, 234-5, figs- n-12; MacGillivray, forthcoming).
Zakros: Building A, re-occupation (Platon 1961^, pl. 173a).
Sheldon 1996, 118). An LM IIIAi import found at
Prosymna in a LH IIIAi context could come from
Knossos, although a west Cretan source cannot be
excluded (especially due to the cup's plain interior;
Blegen 1937, fig. 402: 824; Mountjoy 1993, fig. 7, right;
Sheldon 1996, 19, n.55). At Ialysos two stirrup jars,
which might be Knossian and belong to this group, were
found in tombs dated to LH IIIA2 and LH IIIAi -2
(Benzi 1992, 10, figs. 46c, 53c). Knossian-inspired
decoration in the Argolid is another feature which can
help with synchronisation between the Long Corridor
Cists Group and LH IIIAi /LH IIIA2 (Blegen 1937,
figs. 701: 304; 572: 764; Mountjoy 1993, fig. 7, left).
Correlations between the Long Corridor Cists Group
and Egypt are seen in Sellopoulo Tomb 4 (deposit no.
14 above), which also contained LH IIIAi pottery and
yielded a fresh scarab of Amenhotep III (Popham et al.
1974, fig. i4f, pl. 38g-h). The stone vessel with a
cartouche of Tuthmose III found in Katsambas Tomb
B (deposit no. 1 1 above; Alexiou 1967, pl. 10; Karetsou
et al. 2000, fig. 219) is rightly considered an heirloom
by Warren and Hankey (1989, 147-8). In terms of
pottery, however, contemporary deposits from Kommos
provide the best links with the eastern Mediterranean
(Watrous 1992, 174-8). The index of imported Cretan
pottery in Syro-Palestine by Leonard (1994, 193-200)
includes material assignable to this group (see also van
Wijngaarden 2002, 330-94). The piriform jar from
Khirbet Judur, near Hebron (Hankey 1979, fig. 2: 3)
looks very central Cretan in shape and decoration, and
can be securely assigned to the Long Corridor Cists
Group. An update of correlations with Cyprus is
provided by Eriksson (2003, 415, table 1), and Alberti
and Bettelli (2005) give a useful overview of Cretan
pottery in Italy.
THE MUM PITS 8, 10-11 GROUP (LM IIIA2)
Archaeological contexts (FIG. 6.18)
The most representative deposits to characterise the
next ceramic phase at Knossos come from the fills of
Pits 8 (no. 19 below), 10 and 11 (no. 21) in the MUM
(FIG. 6.19). These deposits, after which this group is
named, together with deposit no. 25, are significant for
their stratigraphy and also for their wide repertoire of
fabrics, wares and forms. The cemeteries of Knossos
are another good source of primary deposits (nos. 27-
31). Among these, Katsambas Tomb 0 (no. 28) is
important for it received a single burial, although it
was designed to contain the usual number of three
or four individuals. The absence of a larnax dates this
single interment to a stage earlier than that in which
this custom became universal (Hatzaki 2005^).
This ceramic assemblage demonstrates the coexistence
of LM IIIAi and LM IIIA2 stylistic features
and highlights the need to view assemblages in their
entirety, instead of focusing on isolated vessels. The
tomb also contained one of the earliest transport stirrup
jars (Alexiou 1970a, fig. 6, pl. 4a) and a Palace Style
jar comparable with the one found in Katsambas
tomb H (FIG. 6.23: 1; Alexiou 1970a, pl. 1). The lack
of other contemporary or later tombs in the region
suggests that the use of the Katsambas cemetery ceased
abruptly, and that this was linked to the destruction of
the palace at Knossos.
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224 ELENI HATZAKI
Fig. 6.18. MUM Pits (V, 10-11 Group (LM I
Fig. 6.19. Selected pottery from MUM Pits 8, 1
(after Popham 1984, pls. 121-2).
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FINAL PALA TIAL (LM II-LM IIIA2) AND POSTPALA TIAL (LM IIIB-LM IIIC EARLY) 225
The best assemblages for defining Popham's palace
destruction horizon in the palace and surrounding
houses are deposits nos. 1-17, which, however, are
slightly problematic: they have been heavily selected
by Mackenzie, and the material now available for study
mostly consists of fine decorated wares; in addition,
pottery from different stratigraphic contexts has been
boxed together. As explained in the introduction to this
chapter, Popham's palace destruction horizon is an
event, not a ceramic phase: it occurred at a time when
pottery with stylistic features of LM IIIAi and LM
IIIA2 seems to have largely overlapped. Popham's
objective was not to subdivide LM IIIA2 into 'early'
and 'late' phases, but to pinpoint the moment, in terms
of ceramic development, in which the event took place
(19700, 85). Popham's destruction horizon, however,
has subsequently been used to divide LM IIIA2 into
Early and Late (Warren and Hankey 1989, 86-8). The
present study has not identified sufficient evidence
supporting this phasing. The publication of deposits
from Poros, however, may well shed further light on
this issue (Dimopoulou-Rethemiotaki 1993, 452).
The position of the MUM Pits 8, 10-11 Group
within the Knossian sequence is shown by the following
deposits: nos. 18 and 23 are stratified directly
above assemblages belonging to the previous group,
whereas nos. 18-20 are stratified directly below
deposits belonging to the succeeding Makritikhos
'Kitchen' Group.
Because of their problematic nature (see above), deposits
deriving from A. J. Evans's excavations in the palace and
settlement (nos. 1-17) have been listed separately from
those deriving from more recent excavations (nos. 18-26).
Also, only good assemblages from the old excavations (such
as nos. 16-17 and some funerary deposits) have been used
to characterise the ceramic phase represented by the
MUM Pits 8, io-ii Group.
Ceramic assemblages from A. J. Evans's excavations
(palace and town)
Palace
North Wing
1) North Foundations (KSM E.I.i: boxes 594-595;
Popham 19700, 41-3, pl. 29a-f).
2) Area NW of Northwest Lustral Basin (KSM E.I. 12:
box 630; Popham 19700, 41-3, pl. 29g).
3) Passage W of North Entrance (KSM J.II.10:
boxes 870-872; Popham 19700, 43-4, 103, fig. 7: 1-9,
pl. 3oa-d).
East Wing
4) Domestic Quarter: Passage of Demon Seals and the
Lair (KSM N.I. 8: box 1254, KSM N.I.9: box 1255;
Popham 19700, 22-6, figs. 5: 1-3, 6: 1, 3-5, pls. 3c,
7e-f, 8c-d, iog, i8a-g, iga-c, 46c). A primary
deposit, linked to no. 5 below, deriving from an upperfloor
collapse.
5) Domestic Quarter: Court of the Distaffs (KSM N.I. 1 :
boxes 1 243-1 244; Popham 19700, 26-30, pls. igd- i,
20a- b). A primary deposit, linked to no. 4 above,
deriving from an upper-floor collapse.
6) Domestic Quarter: Queen's Megaron and Private
Staircase (KSM N.II.23: boxes 1 289-1 290; Popham
19700, 26-30, fig. 17: 1-6, pls. 12a, d-e, 2oc-g, 21, 28
e-g, 46g). An extensive primary deposit, consisting of
transport stirrup jars and fine plain wares, found
collapsed from the upper floor into the Queen's
Megaron and adjacent Private Staircase. Only the clay
tub larnax, elaborately decorated in the Palace Style,
belonged to the ground floor (Popham 19700, pl. 46g).
Popham (19700, 28-9, in, fig. 17: 1-6) dated this
material to LM IIIB, but Warren (1991^, 34-5) has
convincingly re-dated the assemblage to LM IIIA2, and
considered that it belonged to Popham's palace
destruction horizon, not its reoccupation.
7) Area of Corridor of the Sword Tablets (KSM O.I.8:
box 1377; Popham 19700, 33-6, fig. 6: 2, pls. 12a,
25a-c).
South Wing
8) South Propylaeum (KSM G.II.8: boxes 781-784;
Popham 19700, 56-7, fig. 18, pl. 34f-g).
9) South Front (KSM CIV. 1-2: boxes 471-479;
Popham 19700, 57-60, figs. 8: 9, 14: 90-4, 96-7;
Mountjoy 2003).
West Wing
10) 13th Magazine Cists (KSM D.XVII.1-7: boxes 550-
556; Popham 19700, 47, 52, figs. 1-16, pl. 3ic-d, i).
Town
11) Royal Villa (KSM Q.III.1-3: boxes 1501-1504;
Popham 19700, 16-20, figs. 3-4, 7: 1-11, 11-12, 13:
56-65, pls. ia-f, 2g-h, 3a-b, 6b, d, 9b, 10a, 13-17;
Popham 1997, 383-5).
12) South-East House (KSM R.III.i: box 1520, KSM
R.III.3: boxes 1 522-1 523; Popham 19700, 30-3, fig. 14:
80-2, pls. ih, ioc, nb, 22-4, 25d-f).
13) Little Palace (KSM P.I.1-12: boxes 1425-1459;
Popham 19700, 62-3, fig. 15: 98,101,105,108-10,115,
pls. 2b-c, 3f, 42-4; Hatzaki 20050).
14) North- West House (KSM A. II: boxes 47-114;
Popham 19700, 59-63, fig. 8, pls. 2d, 4c, 5b, 37"4i)This
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226 ELENI HATZAKI
15) House of High Priest (KSM S.IV.i: boxes 1
1661; Popham 19700, 63-4, fig. 9, pls. 9, nc, e, 4
Floor deposits with complete vessels from A. J. Evan
excavations in the palace
16) Corridor of the Bays (Evans 1921, fig.
Christakis 2004; Hatzaki, in preparation a). A pr
floor deposit recorded extensively by Evans
excavation notebooks.
17) West Magazines (Popham 19700, 44-54; Christakis
2004). A primary floor deposit extensively photographed
in situ.
Deposits from after A. J. Evans's excavations (town)
18) Little Palace North, levels N and NW of the north
fagade of the Little Palace (Blackman 2002, 107-8;
Whitley 2003, 81). Stratified above LM IIIAi
(Long Corridor Cists Group, deposit no. 10) and
beneath LM IIIB Early (Makritikhos 'Kitchen' Group,
deposit no. 22).
19) MUM, Room C, Pit 8 (Popham 1984, pls.
i2ic-d, 175: 8, 9, 13, 15, 176: 11, 13, 18). Stratified
below LM IIIB Early (Makritikhos 'Kitchen' Group,
deposit no. 11).
20) MUM, Corridor E (west end) levels 12 and 13
(Popham 1984, pls. 1 14a, c, d, 1 15: 4). A fill containing
fairly complete pottery, stratified above LM IIIAi
(Long Corridor Cists Group, deposit no. 4) and
beneath LM IIIB Early (Makritikhos 'Kitchen' Group,
deposit no. 14).
21) MUM, Room H/L Pit 10 + 1 1 (Popham 1984, pls.
174: 1-2, 175: 1-7,10-12, 14-18, 176: 10, 12, 14-17,
122). Fill of pit opened for removing building material
from Corridor L and Room H; stratified above the LM
II destruction fill in these rooms (MUM South Sector
Group, deposits nos. 9-10). Although Popham (1984,
182) considered this material slightly later than that
from deposit no. 19 above, the two deposits are in fact
closely comparable.
22) SEX, LM Shrine (primary deposit: Popham 1970b).
23) SEX, Trench T 'earlier phase' (Warren 1997, 161-
5, figs. 13, 14: P370). Levels associated with wall remains
built against the disused LM IIIAi circular platforms
(Long Corridor Cists Group, deposits nos. 7-8). The
excavator used the term 'earlier' to distinguish this
deposit from the one stratified above it (no. 24 below).
24) SEX, Trench T 'later phase' (Warren 1997, fig. 14,
except top left). This was stratified over no. 23 above
and beneath LM IIIC (Warren 1997, 165). In spite of
the superimposed stratigraphy, both deposits nos. 23
and 24 contain ceramics stylistically too similar to allow,
at present, further phasing.
25) SEX, Trench W 36-7 (Warren 1997, 165-72,
figs. 15-20, 22, top row only). This is a homogenous
fill providing a good repertoire of local ceramics
and imports, such as a stirrup jar from the Khania
region (Warren 1997, fig. 14: P370). It was stratified
beneath LM IIIB Early (Makritikhos 'Kitchen' Group,
deposit no. 16).
26) House West of South- West House (Macdonald
1993, 19-20; Coldstream and Macdonald 1997, 192, fig.
1, 201, fig. 5): level stratified below LM IIIB Early
(Makritikhos 'Kitchen' Group, deposit no. 21). Pottery
associated with a thin layer representing the remains of
a destruction, most of which had been thoroughly
removed by the building's occupants.
Cemeteries
27) Katsambas: Tomb E (Alexiou 1967, 62, fig. 37:
bottom, pls. 23-7).
28) Katsambas: Tomb 0 (Alexiou 19700). The contents
of this tomb highlight the coexistence of LM IIIAi
and LM IIIA2 features. The LM IIIAi -type kylikes
(Alexiou 19700, fig. 7: 2nd row), with good parallels for
the stem and foot at Sellopoulo Tomb 4 (Popham et al.
1974, fig. 9: 4/1-4/2), coexist with the high swunghandle
kylix known from LM IIIAi and LM IIIA2
contexts (compare Alexiou 19700, 8 fig. 7, bottom right
with Alexiou 1967, fig. 25a, left; Popham 19700, 103, fig.
9: 14, pl. 1 ic). Indeed, they are found together with yet
another type of kylix, with a slender stem, conical bowl
and undifferentiated rim, which, save for the strap
handle, has all the stylistic characteristics of the LM IIIB
Early type (compare Alexiou 19700, fig. 7: bottom right,
with Popham 1984, pl. 115: 2, 19700, fig. 16: 5).
29) Zapher Papoura: Tombs 9, 12, 99 (Tomb 9: Evans
1906/*, fig. 1 14: 9a; Tomb 12: Evans 1906^, fig. 1 17: 12a;
Tomb 99: Evans 1906^, fig. 99: left and central interment,
and fig. 100; see also Hatzaki, in preparation d).
30) Upper Gypsades: Tombs 6, 7, 12, 13 (Hood et al.
1959)-
31) Temple Tomb: latest burials (Evans 1935, 1009 fig.
960, 1 01 7 fig. 965; Hatzaki, in preparation c).
32) Mavro Spelio: Tomb XIII.2 (Forsdyke 1927, fig.
28; Popham 1981, pl. 58g).
Characteristics of the MUM Pits 8, 10-11 Group
(LM IIIA2)
There is much continuity in terms of fabrics, wares and
forms from the previous group (e.g. ledge-rimmed and
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FINAL PALA TIAL (LM II-LM IIIA2) AND POSTPALA TIAL (LM IIIB-LM NIC EARLY) 227
shallow cups in fine fabric decorated in dark-on-light,
champagne cups with a shallow foot underside). The
main innovations appear to be the disappearance of
greenish fabrics, the appearance of deeper and thicker
walls in open forms and decorative motifs applied
through thicker paint.
The main fabrics in this group are fine buff, coarse
buff, coarse reddish brown and pithos fabric.
Fine buff fabric
Compared with the Long Corridor Cists Group, clay
pastes now tend to feel heavier and denser, although
this might be the result of thicker-walled vessels,
particularly in the one-handled decorated cup (Warren
1997, 166, fig. 16: P668, P669). Slip remains difficult
to distinguish macroscopically since the core and surface
are often of identical colour. The wares occurring in
this fabric are Dark-on-Light Lustrous, Plain Lustrous,
Monochrome and Plain.
Dark-on-Light Lustrous Ware
There are no distinctive differences in paint colour and
texture from the preceding ceramic phase: colours
tend to range from black to yellowish brown, and
from orange to bright red, usually with a glossy finish.
The monochrome black-coated interior of the onehandled
cup often has a distinctly glossy metallic
appearance, with almost shades of silver. The paint
continues to be thickly applied. The preservation of
surface treatment in the pottery from settlement
contexts is distinctly superior to that from funerary ones
(see also pp. 203, 216). Although slips are difficult to
detect macroscopically, some polishing action either in
the form of a smooth lustrous surface or visible
horizontal stroke marks are normally distinguishable
on the vessel's surface. Variations in the application of
decoration seem to be even more restricted in
comparison with the previous ceramic group: motifs
are applied within a frieze, which always occupies the
vessel's upper body.
Popham (1984, 182-4) described in great detail the
decorative schemes and motifs of the LM IIIA2
repertoire: the following discussion is a summary of
his main points. Motifs are usually floral in inspiration
(FIG. 6.19), and continue to be applied within the
restricted area of a frieze, defined by a rim band and a
series of body bands set below the level of the handle.
The application of a thin body band below the rim band
and above the decorative frieze, sometimes replaced by
a row of dots, is a distinctive feature of this ceramic
phase (FIG. 6.20: 3). The main repetitive decorative
schemes include motifs such as the stacked 'V,
alternating arcs and spiral patterns. Pictorial decoration
has virtually disappeared, apart from the highly stylised
octopus and the occasional bird and flower themes or
horns of consecration (FIG. 6.20: 1). Open shaped
interiors are universally monochrome.
The arrangement of body bands below the decorative
frieze on decorated cups has been considered a feature
crucial for dating pottery to various LM III phases.
Thus, three or four thin bands have been associated with
LM IIIAi and 'early' LM IIIA2 (FIG. 6.12; Popham
1984, 181); the 'thick-thin-thin-thick bands' scheme
(FIG. 6.20: 3; Warren 1997, 177) has been considered a
hallmark of LM IIIA2; and the presence of only one or
two thick bands has been regarded as typical of LM
IIIB (Warren and Hankey 1989, 88; Popham 1984, 185).
These dating criteria, however, should be treated with
caution, and only in association with other diagnostic
features, for the 'thick-thin-thin-thick bands' scheme
already occurs on closed shaped vessels in the LM IIIAi
Long Corridor Cists Group (FIGS. 6.13: 5, 6.16: 2; see
also pp. 199-200). Similarly, a close look at the fine
decorated pottery from the LM IIIA2 MUM Pits 8,
10-1 1 Group (e.g. deposits nos. 19 and 21) demonstrates
the coexistence of cups decorated by three or four thin
body bands with cups decorated by a 'thick-thin-thinthick
bands' scheme, as well as cups with two thick
bands of decoration (FIG. 6.19).
The most common forms in Dark-on-Light Lustrous
Ware are as follows. The one-handled cup (FIG. 6.20: 1-
4; Popham 19700, 68-9, type B) is larger, thicker- walled
and less well executed than its LM IIIAi predecessor;
the ledge rim so typical of LM IIIAi and the pouring
spout set at a right angle to the handle have now
disappeared, although cups with ledge rims continue
to be found in contexts of this period (FIG. 6.19). The
shallow cup (FIG. 6.20: 5) also continues from the
previous group, but is now provided with a straight rim.
The pedestalled bowl (FIG. 6.20: 6; Warren 1997, fig. 16:
P678) with a thick ledge-like rim, resembling that of
the contemporary deep bowl in plain ware, is rare. The
decorated kylix (FIG. 6.20: 7) reappears in this group,
although its plain version remains more popular. Its
shape is considerably changed from the preceding
period: taller and larger in size, it can now reach 20-22
cm in height, with a rim diameter of 18-20 cm; the
bowl is deep and rounded, attached to a fairly tall and
pierced stem, which ends with a distinctly arched foot;
the two ear-like handles are ovoid in section and project
above the rim.
Dark-on-Light Lustrous and Relief Ware
This specialised and rare category does not continue
beyond LM IIIA2, and the beaked jug illustrated in FIG.
6.21 : 1 is the only known specimen from a secure context.
Monochrome Ware
Only the ogival cup seems to be manufactured in this
ware (FIG. 6.21: 2).
Plain Lustrous Ware
Plain vessels often have a lustrous surface, but this is
usually restricted to selected areas, such as the interior
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228 ELENI HATZAKI
Fig. 6.20. MUM Pits 8, io-ii Group (LM IIIA2
bowl and kylix in fine buff fabric (after Poph
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FINAL PALA TIAL (LM II-LM IIIA2) AND POSTPALA TIAL (LM IIIB-LM IIIC EARLY) 229
Fig. 6.21. MUM Pits 8y 10-11 Group (LM IIIA2): (1) jug in Dark-on-Light
Lustrous and Relief Ware (after Ale xiou 196/, fig. 10); (2) monochrome ogival cup
(after Warren 1997, fig. 161: P684), all in fine buff fabric.
and/or exterior, and excluding areas such as the handles
and feet of kylikes. Forms common in this ware include:
the kylix (FIG. 6.22: 1) and the so-called champagne cup
(FIG. 6.22: 2-6). The latter has considerably changed
from its LM IIIAi experimental version: it becomes
taller (usually £7.5 cm) and the rim diameter smaller
(c. 10-1 1 cm); its bowl is rounded, the handle is normally
ovoid in section, and the underside foot concave, a
feature usually considered crucial in dating this vessel
to LM IIIA2 rather than LM IIIB. Warren (1997, 179-
80, fig. 35) has distinguished four types of champagne
cup underside: Type 1 has an uninterrupted or almost
uninterrupted curve (FIG. 6.22: 2); Type 2 has a middle
or inner part of the underside having the beginnings of
a separately defined hole (FIG. 6.22: 3); Type 3 has a
largish but proper hole (FIG. 6.22: 4); and Type 4 has a
smaller well-defined hole in the higher part of the
underfoot (FIG. 6.22: 5). This typology, however, is of
limited use, because close observation of published and
unpublished deposits shows that there are more varieties
and hybrids; in addition, other features, such as the
shape of the bowl, rim and handles may be equally if
not more diagnostic (compare Popham 1984, pls. 121:
11,13, X76- 10, 12, 14-15 with Warren 1997, figs. 14,
19). In fact, one suspects that individual champagne
cups will always be difficult to date precisely, and should
not be used on their own to date whole deposits. The
earliest versions of the shallow bowl are equipped with a
ledge rim and strap handles, features which, however,
soon disappear (FIG. 6.22: 7-8), as the form becomes
more rounded, the rim undifferentiated and the handles
ovoid in section (Warren 1997, fig. 16: 2nd row).
Plain Ware
The one-handled cup (FIG. 6.22: 9; Warren 1997, fig. 14),
c. 6 cm in height and 10 cm in rim diameter, seems
considerably smaller in comparison with the decorated
version. The ogival cup (FIG. 6.22: 10) follows the general
trend of open-shaped vessels belonging to this group
in having a deeper bowl, an undifferentiated rim, a flat
base and thicker walls. The bowl (FIG. 6.22: 11) is
represented by one specimen with a deep profile and a
rim diameter of 16 cm: its rim is reminiscent of LM
IIIAi types (FIG. 6.12: 3), but it is distinctly thicker.
The development of the LM IIIA2 conical cup is difficult
to trace since very few examples have been published
(FIG. 6.22: 12-13): this form does not seem to change
dramatically from LM IIIAi, but it may be shorter and
acquire a slightly broader base (Popham 1984, pl. 176:
16-17). It is not yet possible to distinguish between LM
IIIA2 and LM IIIB ladles at Knossos, although the LM
IIIA2 type may not have the exaggerated long handle
of the LM IIIB version (Popham 1984, 184). The pyxis
has a cylindrical body, short collar, rounded shoulder
and sets of antithetically placed holes, presumably to
fasten a lid; this form also exists in a semi-coarse buff
fabric (Popham 1984, 184).
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230 ELENI HATZAKI
Fig. 6.22. MUM Pits 8, io-ii Group (LM II
buff fabric (after Popham 1984, pls. 175-6, ex
Tin-coated Ware
In the Knossos region tin-coated vessels appear in this
group, but do not continue beyond LM IIIA2. The
last known specimens come from Katsambas tombs
H and 0 and include forms identical to examples in
Plain and Plain Lustrous Wares, i.e. the kylix,
champagne cup, shallow bowl and conical cup (Alexiou
1967, fig. 7, pls. 25a, 26a, 2nd and 3rd from left, 27a,
1st from right).
Coarse buff (and greenish) fabric
This fabric continues from the previous phases with
little change (see pp. 210, 219) and is associated with
Dark-on-Light (slipped and unslipped) and Plain wares.
Dark-on-Light Slipped Ware
Forms in this ware include the Palace Style jar (FIG.
6.23: 1; Alexiou 1967, pls. 1-2, 24 P) and the amphoroid
krater (FIG. 6.23: 2; Evans 1935, fig. 965).
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FINAL PALA TIAL (LM II-LM IIIA2) AND POSTPALA TIAL (LM IIIB-LM IIIC EARLY) 23 1
Fig. 6.23. MUM Pits 8, 10-11 Group
(LM IIIA2): (1-2) Dark-on-Light
Slipped Ware; (3) Dark-on-Light
(unslipped); (4) Plain Ware, all in
coarse buff fabric (1, j, after Alexiou
196/ fig. 10, Alexiou 1970, pl. 25b; 2,
from The Temple Tomb, after Hatzaki
in preparation c; 4 from MUM no. 12,
author's illustration) .
Dark-on-Light Ware (unslipped)
The coarse unslipped fabric surface is smoothed before
paint is applied to it. Paint can vary in colour from
brown to black, and can be matt or give the impression
of being lustrous (on greenish coloured fabrics the paint
is grey black and sometimes fugitive). Only a few
transport stirrup jars have been published from LM IIIA2
Knossos (FIG. 6.23: 3; Alexiou 19700, fig. 6), and their
local production is uncertain. Analyses of such vessels
from Crete and the Greek mainland, so far, have
suggested a provenance from west, north-central and
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232 ELENIHATZAKI
Fig. 6.24. MUM Pits 8, 10-11 Group (LM
Alexiou 1967, pl. 27b; 2-3, after Popham
author's illustrations) ; (6-7) pithoi (afte
south-central Crete (Haskell and Day
Haskell 2005; see also pp. 243-4). No co
has been published from a LM IIIA2
Knossos, but since examples are known
Early (see p. 244) it is
was not produced durin
1967, pl. 26 P; for th
6.23: 4) has a wide str
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FINAL PALA TIAL (LM II-LM IIIA2) AND POSTPALA TIAL (LM IIIB-LM IIIC EARLY) 233
handles and a wavy band as an upper-zone decoration:
its squared rim and sloping ridge are features absent
from LM IIIAi contexts and could be considered as
LM IIIA2 and LM IIIB characteristics (see also
pp. 220, 244).
Plain Ware
The basin (FIG. 6.23: 4) does not show a distinct
variation in shape in comparison with that in Darkon-Light
Ware.
Coarse reddish brown fabric
There are no major changes from the preceding phase:
pots in this fabric continue to be well fired and have
fewer inclusions in comparison with LM I examples.
Plain Ware
The tall brazier has a distinctly slender lower body
ending with a torus base (FIG. 6.24: 1). The small to
medium-sized pedestalled brazier (FIG. 6.24: 2; Popham
1970/*, 192 fig. ib-c; Alexiou 1967, pl. 26 y) could
derive from an LM II version with a solid foot (FIG.
6.10: 6). The spreading bowl (FIG. 6.24: 3) could be a
variant of the above braziers. No complete tripod cooking
pots have been published from LM IIIA2 levels
at Knossos: the fragments illustrated here (FIG. 6.24:
4-5; Popham 1984, 182, n. 173) show everted rims
and horizontal roll handles; unpublished tripod legs
are of the ovoid or ovoid/round type. Among the
unpublished coarse pottery there are also rim fragments
of tripod cooking trays.
Pithos fabric
This category includes a large number of the pithoi
found in the West Magazines at the palace of Knossos
(Christakis 2004).
Plain and Relief Ware
In LM IIIA1-2 large ovoid slightly depressed pithoi or
ovoid pithoi with a low belly profile are the most
frequent types (FIG. 6.24: 5-6; Christakis 2004, 2005).
They have a wide mouth without a collar and rows of
vertical handles. The decoration consists of horizontal
and wavy bands in relief, the relief bands decorated with
herringbone, criss-cross and, for the first time, addermark
incisions. In addition, rope-work patterns are
frequently combined with raised bands.
Relative chronology of the MUM Pits 8, 10-11
Group (LM IIIA2)
Synchronisms with other Cretan sites
Establishing ceramic synchronisms between the MUM
Pits 8, 10- 1 1 Group and other Cretan sites (TABLE 6.3)
is far more challenging than in the previous section
because of a general return to increased ceramic
regionalism, coinciding with the destruction of the
palace at Knossos. East Cretan production centres such
as Palaikastro and Gournia continued their local styles
without introducing central Cretan forms or decorative
repertoires. Because of difficulties in distinguishing
among local Cretan productions between LM III A2 and
LM IIIB Early, ceramic deposits contemporary to the
MUM Pits 8, 10-1 1 Group (LM IIIA2) have often been
termed LM IIIA2 / B.
In west Crete, the Khania and Armeni workshops
took off during the ceramic phase represented by the
MUM Pits 8, io-ii Group (with little influence from
Knossos), a process that intensified during the
succeeding period. More precise synchronisms between
Knossos and western Crete will be established through
the publication of extensive settlement and funerary
contexts from those two sites. In the Knossian region,
the settlement and cemetery assemblages from
Archanes, not surprisingly, have yielded deposits similar
to Knossos. To the south, Kommos and Ayia Triada in
the Mesara have also produced comparable ceramic
assemblages. In east Crete, among others, deposits from
Chondros Viannou and the upper levels in Well 576 at
Palaikastro are probably contemporary to the MUM
Pits 8, io-ii Group, although direct imports from
north-central Crete are extremely rare.
Synchronisms with the Aegean and east
Mediterranean
Mainland imports to LM IIIA2 Knossos are few and
show strong connections with the Argolid, as shown by
a LH IIIA2 flask in deposit no. 30 (Hood et al. 1959,
fig. 29: X.i; Mountjoy 1999^, fig. 28: 192).
Contemporary deposits at Kommos provide the best
evidence for contacts between LM IIIA2 and the eastern
Mediterranean (Watrous 1992, 178-83). Exports from
Crete to Cyprus, the Near East and Egypt are only a
few (Popham 1979, fig. 2: 1; Leonard 1994, 193-200;
van Wijngaarden 2002, 330-94), in comparison with
the numerous LH IIIA2 ones (Wiener 2003; Eriksson
2003, 415-16, table 1; van Wijngaarden 2002, figs. 2:
5-6). Most of the LH pottery found at Tell el-Amarna
has been dated to LH IIIA2, but a few specimens date
to LH IIIB (Warren and Hankey 1989, 149; Manning
1996, 24). For Cretan pottery in Italy Alberti and Bettelli
(2005) provide useful updates.
THE MAKRITIKHOS 'KITCHEN' GROUP
(LM IIIB EARLY)
Archaeological contexts (FIG. 6.25)
This group includes a number of deposits in the palace
(nos. 1-7) and town (nos. 8-22) with pots abandoned in
situ, none of which is associated with fire destructions.
The deposits with the most characteristic assemblages
are no. 8, after which this group has been named, and
those from the MUM North Sector abandonment levels
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234 ELENI HATZAKI
TABLE 6.3: Selected Cretan sites with de
Group (LM IIIA2).
West Crete
Khania: Tombs 2 and 12 at Odos Palama (Hallager and McGeorge 1992, figs. 5-6, pls. 9a-b, 23a).
North Central Crete
Ar chanes-Tourkogeitonia, Fill A, A , and Z (Andrikou 1991, figs. 14-15, 30-32); Phourni, Tholos Tomb A (Sakellarakis 1966,
pls. 443P, 445a; Sakellarakis and Sapouna-Sakellaraki 1991, figs. 46-61; Sakellarakis and Sapouna-Sakellaraki 1997, 158-68);
Archmes-P hourni, Mycenaean Grave Enclosure (Sakellarakis and Sapouna-Sakellaraki 1991, figs. 41-5; Sakellarakis and
Sapouna-Sakellaraki 1997, figs. 141-4; Kallitsaki 1997, figs. 6 and 15).
South-Central Crete
Ayia Triada: Saggio III (La Rosa 1979-80, figs. 2 and 5). Stoa, tests level 7 (La Rosa 1997, figs. i3-i6).Kommos: Deposits 30,
33-35, 38-47, 50, 52-57, 59-6o, 62-70, 72, 77-78 (Watrous 1992).
Mallia / Lasithi
Mallia: Quartier Nu, first occupation / destruction and pits (Driessen and Farnoux 1994, figs. 5-6, pls. 2: 5-6, 3: 2).
East Crete
Gournia: House Ej room 65 (Boyd-Hawes et al. 1908, 23, pl. 2.14.27, 10.3-5,33).
Mochlos: Tomb 13 (Soles and Davaras 1996, 217, fig. 22, pl. 60b, 62a, 63b); LM III A cemetery by Artisans' Quarter (Soles
2003, figs. 78-83).
Palaikastro: Block T, 'bath-room' (Bosanquet et al. 1903, figs. 14-15, 28); Block T, room y 9 (Bosanquet et al. 1903, figs. 12: 2,
17-8); Block A room 44 'shrine' (Dawkins and Currelly 1904, figs. 6-7; Bosanquet and Dawkins 1923, figs. 71-2, 75-6, 78);
Building 4 (MacGillivray et al. 1988^, fig. 9, pl. 49c; Sackett and MacGillivray 1988, pl. 353b; MacGillivray 1992, fig. 22); Well
576 Deposits 6-12 (MacGillivray 1998, fig. 14: 1-5; Hatzaki forthcoming b); Well 605 Deposits 5a-c (MacGillivray,
forthcoming).
Chondros Viannou (Platon 1957, figs. 7-13, 16).
Tertsa: Tomb (Banou and Rethemiotakis 1997, figs. 14-16).
Fig. 6.25. Makritikhos 'Kitchen' Group (LM IIIB early): location of deposits listed in the text.
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FINAL PALA TIAL (LM II-LM IIIA2) AND POSTPALA TIAL (LM IIIB-LM IIIC EARLY) 23 5
(nos. 9-14). The cemeteries of Zapher Papoura and
Gypsades (nos. 29-30) continue to be used, but the
number of tombs drops considerably (Hatzaki 2005^).
The stratigraphical position of the Makritikhos
'Kitchen' Group in the Knossian sequence is established
by several deposits (e.g. nos. 11, 14, 16, 19, 21)
that were stratified above levels assigned to the
preceding group. In addition, deposit no. 11 was
stratified beneath a level assignable to the succeeding
group (i.e. the 'LM IIIB late' MUM North Platform
Pits Group).
Palace
East Wing
1) School Room deposit (Popham 1964, 19, figs. 4-5,
21, pl. 2b).
2) Shrine of the Double Axes (Popham 1964, 7-8, 16-
17, pl. 2b). The pottery illustrated in the well-known
photograph in The Palace of Minos (FIG. 6.1: 2) should
be treated with some caution since it does not appear to
illustrate the original assemblage. For example, it
includes a LM I-type tripod cooking pot with lug
handles, which does not appear on earlier shots, and
was clearly added later.
3) Room South of Shrine of the Double Axes (Popham
1964, fig 1, pl. 9a, 19700, fig. 16: 1-6).
South Front
4) Room of the Vases (Popham 1964, 5-6, pls. 3a-b,
d-f, 7a-b).
5) Area of Clay Signet and area north of Room of the
Clay Signet (Popham 1964, 13, figs. 2, 26, pl. 7c, e).
6) Area of the Wheat (Popham 1964, 14, pls. 5a-b, c-d,
6e-f).
7) Area of the Chessmen (Popham 1964, 14-15, pls. 3:
h-i, 6a-f).
Town
8) Makritikhos 'Kitchen' (Hood and de Jong 1959; Hood
and Taylor 1981, no. 233). It should be noted that the
oval-mouthed amphora does not conform to LM III
examples and, unless an heirloom, it may not have been
part of the 'kitchen' assemblage (Hood and de Jong
1959, 186, n. 3, fig. 5: 3).
9) MUM, Room A (Popham 1984, 3-5, pls. 105, 115:
7-8). According to the excavator all pottery found in
this room derived from an upper-floor collapse
associated with abandonment, since at the ground-floor
level the doorway which connected Rooms A and B was
found blocked (Popham 1984, 3-5).
10) MUM, Room B (Popham 1984, 5-7). At the
ground-floor level this room was found empty, but the
upper-floor collapse included the lower body of a stirrup
jar, the top of which was found in a similar context in
Room D (no. 12 below).
11) MUM, Room C (Popham 1984, pl. 108: b-c).
Pottery associated with the abandonment of the
building, also derived from the collapse of the upper
floor (see nos. 9-10 above). This deposit is stratified
above LM IIIA2 (MUM Pits 8, 10-11 Group deposit
no. 19) and below LM IIIB Late (MUM North Platform
Pits Group, deposit no. 1).
12) MUM, Room D (Popham 1984, 8-10, pls. no, 115:
9-1 1, 180: 7-13). Pottery derived from the collapse of
the upper floor associated with the abandonment of the
building (Popham 1984, pls. 1 ioa-c, f-g, 115: 9-1 1, 180:
7-13). This deposit was stratified above no. 13 below.
13) MUM, Room D, hearth contents (Popham 1984,
8-10, pl. 1 iod). A miniature jug and a cylinder of coarse
clay were found within the hearth at ground-floor level;
deposit no. 12 was stratified above.
14) MUM, Corridor E (west end) level 14 (Popham
1984, pl. 115: 1-3). Upper-floor collapse, stratified
above LM IIIA2 (MUM Pits 8, 10-n Group, deposit
no. 20).
15) SEX, Trench W Pit 49 (Warren 1997, figs. 21, 22:
2nd and 3rd row). Contents of a pit, stratified above
no. 1 6 below.
16) SEX, Trench W walls x, v, a associated with a twohandled
tub in situ (Warren 1997, fig. 24). This deposit
was stratified above LM IIIA2 (MUM Pits 8, 10-11
Group, deposit no. 25) and LM IIIB Early (no. 15
above), and beneath LM IIIC (SEX Southern Half
group, deposit no. 3).
17) SEX, Trench X 'earlier architectural phase' (Warren
1997, figs. 28: 1st row right Pi 698, 2nd and 3rd row,
29-30). Rubble wall and traces of paving associated with
pottery; stratified above LM IIIAi (Long Corridor
Cists group, deposit no. 9) and beneath no. 18 below.
18) SEX, Trench X 'later architectural phase' (Warren
1997, figs. 28: 4th and 5th row, 29). Pottery associated
with walls cp, ay, n and floor surface, stratified above
deposit no. 17.
19) SEX, Trench F/FG Pit 9 (Warren 1997, 177-8,
fig. 34, except for P639). This pit cut into a large wall
running E-W dated by the excavator to LM IIIA, and
was stratified beneath no. 20 below.
20) SEX, Trench F/FG: level overlying Pit 9 (deposit
no. 19 above) (Warren 1997, fig. 34: P639).
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236 ELENI HA TZAKI
21) House West of the South- West House, abandonment
deposits (Macdonald 1993, 19-20; Coldstream and
Macdonald 1997, figs. 1, 5). These were stratified above
a thin LM IIIA2 layer (MUM Pits 8, 10-11 Group,
deposit no. 26).
22) Little Palace North (Blackman 2002, 107-8; Whitley
2003, 77). Levels west of the Reused Ashlar Building,
stratified above LM IIIA2 (MUM Pits 8, 10-1 1 Group,
deposit no. 18).
23) Katsambas: LM III house (Alexiou 1955, pls. 1 17a,
119a, b right, 120, 1968, pl. 4: 1).
24) Poros-Katsambas: LM III house (Alexiou 1970^,
pl. 396).
From A, J. Evans's excavations in the town
25) Little Palace LM IIIB Early deposits (Hatzaki
2005a).
26) South-East House abandonment deposits (Popham
1970a, 30-3, pls. i2f, 23e-f, 24f-g; Hatzaki in preparation b).
27) Royal Villa (Popham 1970a, 16-20, pls. 11 a, i7d-f;
Hatzaki 2005^; in preparation b).
28) North- West Treasure House (Popham 1984, 60-3,
pls. 12: g-h, 39; Hatzaki 2005^)
Cemeteries
29) Zapher Papoura: Tombs 54, 99, 100 (Evans 1906^,
87-90, figs. 99-101; Hatzaki in preparation d). These
tombs contained pottery stylistically close to the MUM
Pits 8, 10-1 1 Group (LM IIIA2) and the MUM North
Sector group (LM IIIB Early). They also contained an
Egyptian 15th Dynasty scarab.
30) Upper Gypsades: Tombs 9 (Hood et al. 1959, figs.
28: IX. 1-2, 29: X.1-2, pls. 57d, 75e).
31) Mavro Spelio Tomb V (Forsdyke 1927, fig. 13) and
Tomb XVII (Popham 1981, pl. 59c).
Characteristics of the Makritikhos 'Kitchen1
Group (LM IIIB Early)
All fabrics occurring in the previous ceramic group
continue without any major changes. Many of the forms,
such as the cup, kylix with loop handles, shallow bowl,
conical cup and champagne cup (in all its variants) also
continue, and the same applies to decorative motifs. A
major change, however, is the dramatic decrease of
Dark-on-Light Lustrous Ware in fine buff fabric.
Fig. 6.26. Makritikhos 'Kitchen Group (LM IIIB early): Dark-on-Light Lustrous Ware, cups in fine buff fabric
(after Warren iggj,figs. 22, 28, except for 6, after Popham 1984, pl. 115).
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FINAL PALA TIAL (LM II-LM IIIA2) AND POSTPALA TIAL (LM IIIB-LM IIIC EARLY) 237
Fig. 6.27. Makritikhos 'Kitchen' Group (LM IIIB early): Dark-on-Light Lustrous Ware, (1-2) bowls; (3) krater;
(4S) kylikes, all in fine buff fabric. (1, 2, 5, after Warren 1997, figs. 28, 32; j, 4, after Popham 1964, pl. 8,
1984, pl. 180).
The nature of the material available for study (i.e.
heavily selected deposits) and the emphasis on dating
based on fine decorated wares and supposed 'typefossils',
which appear in the publications of relevant
deposits (Warren 1997, 185-92), have inevitably affected
the characterisation of this group.
The main fabrics occurring in this group are fine
buff, coarse buff, coarse reddish brown and pithos fabric.
As in the previous chapter, the characteristic wares and
their relative forms are discussed under the fabric in
which they occur. The predominance of Plain Wares
(in contrast to the previous and subsequent ceramic
phases) is a trend also observed beyond Knossos (Rutter
2003, 251).
Fine buff fabric
This continues from the previous phase. These wares
are attested: Dark-on-Light Lustrous, Monochrome,
Plain Lustrous and Plain.
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238 ELENI HA TZAKI
Fig. 6.28. Makritikhos 'Kitchen' Group (LM III B early): Dark
alabastron, collared jug, stirrup jar and miniature jug, all in fin
2-3, after Hood and de Jong 1959, fig. 7; 4-5, after Pop ham 1
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FINAL PALA TIAL (LM II-LM IIIA2) AND POSTPALA TIAL (LM IIIB-LM IIIC EARLY) 239
Dark-on-Light Lustrous Ware
Paint colour and texture do not exhibit distinct
variations from the preceding period: colour ranges
from black to reddish orange to yellowish brown. These
changes, however, occur: decorative motifs are applied
within a frieze, which always occupies the vessel's upper
body; motifs are linear in inspiration, with a decrease
of floral ones (FIGS. 6.26-27); their repertoire is rather
limited and applied within the restricted area of a frieze
defined by a rim band and a series of body bands set
below the level of the handles. Decoration is either
applied in a dense pattern, as in the previous ceramic
group, or in a more spacious manner, a trend that
continues in the succeeding group. The interiors of
cups and bowls are universally monochrome. A distinct
feature is the application of one or two thick bands as
the lower border of the decorative frieze (FIG. 6.26: 1,
4-5), although the application of 'thick-thin-thin-thick
bands' (which first appeared in the Long Corridor
Group) is still prevalent (FIGS. 6.26: 2-3, 6, 6.27: 1-2).
The range of motifs is very limited: whorl shells,
applied spaciously and in pairs on kylikes, alternating
arcs, rows of running spirals or linked spirals, and
stylised flowers. There are two trends in the execution
of decorative motifs. First, motifs rather large in
proportion to the frieze are applied with a thick brush
stroke (FIGS. 6.26: 2, 6.27: 1; Warren 1997, figs. 28:
P1710, 32: P1991, 33). Second, motifs are applied with
a thin brush stroke that leaves large parts of the vessel
blank (FIGS. 6.26: 5, 6.27: 4-5; Warren 1997, figs. 28:
P1713, 32: P1990). FIG. 6.28: 2 shows the coexistence
of the two styles on the same vessel.
Forms occurring in Dark-on-Light Lustrous Ware
include the following. The one-handled cup from the
previous group continues beside a new variety, which
can have a straight or slightly flaring rim (FIG. 6.26;
Popham 1967, pl. 8: b; Warren 1997, fig. 28: P1711,
P1699): the vessel's height is c. 7-8 cm with a 12-14 cm
rim diameter (i.e. smaller than its LM IIIA2 predecessor);
the interior is normally monochrome, often
with a reserved circle on the interior base. The ringfooted
cup with an almost S-profile and flaring rim is a
rare form (FIG. 6.26: 6). The bowl in this ware (FIG.
6.27: 1-2) may not have been a popular shape in LM
IIIB Early at Knossos: one published example is not
securely associated with any deposit from the palace
(Popham 1967, pl. 8: c-d) and the other rare examples
(FIG. 6.27: 1-2) are essentially larger versions of the
one-handled cup (FIG. 6.26) with one or two horizontal
handles. The krater is also a rare form: although the
base of the example illustrated in FIG. 6.27: 3 is restored,
it is clear that its shape is a larger version of the earlier
pedestalled bowl (FIG. 6.20: 1). The decorated shallow
kylix is rare among LM IIIB Early assemblages from
Knossos (FIG. 6.27: 4-5; Popham 19700, pl. na, 1984,
pl. 115: 2); this form, which also occurs in Plain
Lustrous Ware, is generally smaller than the LM IIIA2
and LM IIIB Early versions in Plain Ware (FIG. 6.30:
1-3; Popham 1967, fig. ia, pl. 9a, 19700, fig. 16: 5); the
lower half of the bowl is conical in profile, and the stem
is hollow; handles are usually ovoid or round in section,
and can be either attached at the level of the rim or rise
well above it; the most popular decorative motifs are
vertical whorl shells, usually in antithetical pairs. The
spouted tankard has rather convex sides with one roll
handle set either a little above mid-body or starting at
rim level (FIG. 6.28: 1; Popham 1967, pl. 7e; 19700, pl.
i2f). The spouted alabastron, also referred to as the
spouted cylindrical jar, is also attested (FIG. 6.28: 2;
Hallager 1997, 410; Popham 1967, 10, no. 6, which can
now be safely identified as a spouted alabastron and
assigned to this group). The collared jug (FIG. 6.28: 3)
goes back to LM II (FIG. 6.5: 3), although LM IIIA
examples are not known from Knossos: the LM IIIB
Early version has a globular body, an ovoid handle and
a slightly raised spout. The small globular stirrup jar
(FIG. 6.28: 4; Popham 1967, pl. 5c-d, e-f) was also
manufactured in a miniature version (Evans 1906/7, fig.
100): the spout is parallel to the handles and false spout,
and is attached vertically to the body, which ends with
a slightly raised ring base. The jug also occurs in a
miniature version (FIG. 6.28: 5).
Monochrome Ware
The champagne cup and handlelessjar occur in this ware
(FIG. 6.29: 1-2).
Fig. 6.2Q. Makritikhos 'Kitchen' Group (LM IIIB
early): Monochrome Ware, champagne cup and
handlelessjar in fine buff fabric (1, after Warren 1997,
fig. 34: P1664; 2, after Popham 1984, pl. 180).
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240 ELENI HATZAKI
Fig. 6. jo. Makritikhos 'Kitchen' Group (LM
fine buff fabric (i, 4-5, y-8y after Pop ham
MUM, author's illustration).
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FINAL PALATIAL (LM II-LM IIIA2) AND POSTPALATIAL (LM IIIB-LM IIIC EARLY) 241
Fig. 6.31. Makritikhos 'Kitchen' Group (LM IIIB early):
Plain Ware kalathos, cup, ladle, conical cups and
two-handled jar in fine buff fabric (1-2, after Pop ham
1984, pl. 7/5; j, after Pop ham 1970a, fig. 16; 4-6, after
Hood and de Jong 1959, figs. 5-6).
Plain and Lustrous Ware
As in the previous group, a lustrous finish is visible only
on selected areas of the vessel's body, such as the inner
and exterior bowl, the stem and, more rarely, on handles
and foot. The LM IIIA2 version of the kylix,
characterised by a deep rounded bowl and two ear-like
handles, continues in this group (FIG. 6.30: 1) beside a
type showing these new features: a rather conical lower
bowl and handles attached at the level of the rim or
rising well above it (FIG. 6.30: 2-3; Popham 1967, fig.
ia, pl. 9a, 19700, fig. 16: 5; Warren 1997, 178, fig. 34).
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242 ELENI HATZAKI
Fig. 6.32. Makritikhos 'Kitchen' Group
in coarse buff fabric (after Pop ham 1Q8
All the champagne cup types of the previous
6.22: 2-6) continue to be found, withou
differences in the formation of the foot's und
6.30: 4-5; see also Popham 1984, pl. 180
shallow bowl (FIG. 6.30: 6) continues to be man
without major changes from the previous
6.22: 8; see also Popham 1964, pl. 2b). The sh
with raised handle and solid foot (FIG. 6.30:
shallow cup (FIG. 6.30: 8) also occur in this w
Plain Ware
The kalathos (FIG. 6.31: 1; Popham 19700, fig. 17: 3,
1984, pl. 115: 3) can have a sort of ledge rim and
distinctly curved sides ending with a torus base; it is
equipped with two horizontal roll handles set below the
rim. The cup with a side handle also occurs in this ware
(FIG. 6.31: 2). The high loop handle on ladles (FIG. 6.31:
3; see also Hood and de Jong 1959, fig. 5: 14) might be
an innovation, but the scarcity of known examples from
either LM IIIA2 or LM IIIB Early Knossian contexts
prevents any secure conclusion (Popham 1984, 184);
the handle is often made of tempered clay and pierced
near its attachment to the body, which is made of fine
buff clay (Hatzaki forthcoming b). Some conical cups
from deposits in this group show a wide rim (FIG. 6.31:
4-5), which might be a new development, but lack of
extensive comparanda calls for caution. The small twohandled
jar might be a new form introduced in this
group (FIG. 6.31: 6). The shallow bowl also occurs in
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FINAL PALA TIAL (LM II-LM IIIA2) AND POSTPALA TIAL (LM IIIB-LM IIIC EARLY) 243
Fig. 6.33. Makritikhos 'Kitchen' Group (LM IIIB early): Plain Ware pots: (1-2) in coarse buff; (3) in coarse
reddish-brown; (4) in pit ho s fabric (1, after Warren 1983, fig. 56; 2-4, after Hood and de Jong jqcq, fig. c).
this ware, in a shape closely comparable with the Plain
Lustrous Ware version (cf. FIG. 6.30: 6).
Coarse buff fabric
Macroscopically, no variation can be observed from the
preceding group. The ware categories in this fabric are
Dark-on-Light Slipped and Plain.
Dark-on-Light Slipped Ware
Transport stirrup jars from various contexts in the palace
and town of Knossos exhibit a variety of fabrics, wares
and forms, suggesting different production centres.
Western, south-central and north-central Crete have
been identified as areas manufacturing transport stirrup
jars in LM IIIA2 and LM IIIB Early (Haskell and Day,
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244 ELENI HATZAKI
pers. comm.; Day 1995), making Knossos a con
rather than a production centre for these vessels
p. 232). Thus, although coarse transport stirr
should not be included in a discussion of l
produced ceramics at Knossos, two are illustrat
for the sake of completeness (FIG. 6.32: 1-2; P
1964, pl. 3d-e). The amphoroid krater (FIG.
continues from the previous ceramic group witho
substantial differences in shape (FIG. 6.23: 2).
Plain Ware
The basin has a squared rim and a sloping ridge c. 5 cm
below the rim (FIG. 6.33: 1; Warren 1997, figs. 15, 24),
features also typical of Knossian LM IIIA2 types.
Coarse amphorae were manufactured in the Knossos
region, and could be the predominant local mediumsized
storage vessel for the period (FIG. 6.33: 2; Popham
1964, pl. 2a).
Coarse reddish brown fabric
There are no major changes in the clay pastes from the
preceding phase. Vessels in this fabric are left plain, and
forms include the large tripod cooking pot (FIG. 6.33: 3)
with everted rim, globular body and two horizontal
handles set upright, almost reaching the level of the rim.
Pithos fabric
No distinct variation from the preceding period is
observed in this fabric. Only a single pithos in Plain
and Relief Ware has been illustrated from a secure
stratigraphical context assignable to this group (fig.
6.33: 4): it has a flat rim, ovoid conical body, torus base
and a sloping ridge at the level of the four strap handles
set at shoulder level; it is decorated with raised bands
with herringbone and criss-cross incisions.
Relative chronology of the Makritikhos 'Kitchen'
Group (LM IIIB Early)
Synchronisms with other Cretan sites
Regionalism in ceramic production increased during
this period. This is well illustrated in the three distinct
areas that produced transport stirrup jars: west, southcentral
and north-central Crete. Of these, the west
Cretan workshop(s) has (have) shown considerable
standardisation, whereas central Cretan production
centres exhibit a marked lack of it (Haskell 2005).
Strong regionalism in ceramic production is probably
the consequence of the collapsed Knossian hegemony
and the development of the independent regional
administrative and commercial centres of Khania and
Kommos. The increase in direct Greek mainland
imports (or mainland influence on the local ceramic
production) at different regional centres might also be
a related phenomenon.
A few useful synchronisms can be established with
other regions of Crete (TABLE 6.4) and the rest of the
Aegean. Starting from sites in the Knossos region,
deposits comparable with the Makritikhos 'Kitchen'
Group have been found at Archanes, Amnisos and
Gouves. For west Crete, deposits from Khania assigned
to LM IIIB 1 can also be considered broadly contemporary,
due to similarities in forms and decoration. The
abandonment levels of Kommos and the destruction
TABLE 6.4: Selected Cretan sites with deposits contemporary with the Makritikhos 'Kitchen'
Group (LM IIIB early).
West Crete
Khania: Tomb 17 at Odos Palama (Hallager and McGeorge 1992, 22-3 pl. 23b).
North-Central Crete
Archznes-Tourkogeitonia, west sector first level (Sakellarakis and Sakellaraki 1980, pl. 219); Fills B and T (Andrikou 1991, fi
16-27 and 30).
Amnisos: Areas E and F (Schafer 1992, pls. 45: 2, 50: 3, 52: 1-2, 53: 3).
Gouves (Chatzi-Vallianou 19950, pls. 10-13; Chatzi-Vallianou 1995/*, pl. 238 a-y; Vallianou 1996, 164, fig. 12).
South-Central Crete
Ayia Triada: Stoa, tests level 5 (La Rosa 1997, 260, figs. 17-18).
Kommos: Deposits 48, 58, 74-76, 79-97 (Watrous 1992).
Mitropolis-Kannia: Shrine (Alexiou 1968, pl. 3: 1; Levi 1959, figs. 14, 31, 34-5, 37a).
Mallia / Lasithi
Mallia: House E (Deshayes and Dessenne 1959, pl. XLVI: 1-9, 11-12, XLVI-III: 1-3); Quartier Nu, second occupation
destruction (Farnoux 1989^, pl. 26oa-b; Farnoux and Miiller 1989, figs. 6-8; Farnoux 1990^, figs, n-14; Driessen and
Farnoux 1991, figs. 21, 25-6; Driessen and Farnoux 1992, figs, n-13; Farnoux and Driessen 1994, 62-3 fig. 7, pls. 4: 2,
and 5: 2-4).
East Crete
Pseira: Building DA Contexts 2-6 (Betancourt and Davaras 1999, figs. 52-55; Betancourt et al 1997).
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FINAL PALA TIAL (LM II-LM IIIA2) AND POSTPALA TIAL (LM IIIB-LM IIIC EARLY) 245
deposits of Mallia Quartier Nu include pottery very
similar to vessels from our group. LM IIIB imports
from Khania at Palaikastro (Kanta 1980) suggest that
sectors of that site remained occupied during this period
but, to judge from the published data, little can be said
about precise ceramic synchronisms between Knossos
and the far east of the island, since the Palaikastro
material comes from excavations of the early 1900s, for
which stratigraphic information has been lost.
Synchronisms with the Aegean and east
Mediterranean
Overseas, LM IIIB (early) Cretan transport stirrup jars
have been found in LH IIIBi contexts on the Greek
mainland, thus providing sound synchronisms for the
two regions. At Knossos mainland imports continue to
be few but provide, yet again, links with LH IIIBi in
the Argolid (compare Popham 1964, pl. 4d with
Tournavitou 1995, pl. 12a; and Popham 1964, pl. 6e-f
with Shear 1987, pl. 28: 120). In addition, the adoption
of the whorl shell (Popham 1984, pl. 180: 9), a
decorative motif of mainland (LH IIIBi) inspiration,
shows further links.
A scarab of Ramses I (19th Dynasty) was among the
finds of Zapher Papoura Tomb 99 (deposit no. 29; Evans
1906^, figs. 99-101; Wiener 2003, 247, 250). Some of
the associated pottery stylistically could be assigned to
the MUM Pits 8, 10-11 Group (LM IIIA2), but the
decoration on the small pyxis (Evans 1906^, fig. 100:
v), which seems to be associated with the scarab, finds
better parallels in the Makritikhos 'Kitchen' Group.
From the palace, the School Room deposit (no. 1
above) includes a west Anatolian jug (Popham 1964, fig.
4, pl. 2b, right; Rutter 2006). For east Mediterranean
ceramic imports to Crete, Kommos provides the best
evidence (Watrous 1992, 178-83). The most noticeable
Cretan ceramic exports to the eastern Mediterranean
(particularly Cyprus) are the coarse transport stirrup
jars (Day and Haskell 1995, 89, 196; Haskell 2005; van
Wijngaarden 2002, 330-94). For Cretan exports to Italy
in LM IIIB, Vagnetti (2003) and Alberti and Bettelli
(2005) provide useful updates.
THE MUM NORTH PLATFORM PITS GROUP
(LM IIIB LATE)
Archaeological contexts (FIG. 6.34)
At present, this group comprises mostly secondary
deposits, all of which derive from the western part of
the town. After the LM IIIB (early) abandonment of the
palace area, a new settlement was established in this part
of the Knossos town, extending at least as north as the
SEX site and the Little Palace, and possibly continuing
south as far as the area of Bougada Metochi, the upper
part of the modern Knossos village (Hatzaki 2005^). Full
publication of the RRN excavations is necessary to
establish whether the settlement extended to this area
Fig. 6.34. MUM North Platform Pits Group
(LM IIIB late): location of deposits listed in
the text.
(at present only one complete deep bowl assignable to
this group is illustrated in Popham 1970c, fig. 1: 5).
As explained in the introduction to this chapter, the
subdivision of LM IIIB into an early and late phase is
now possible thanks to the stratigraphic and stylistic
evidence provided by the MUM and the Little Palace
North excavations (see deposits nos. 1 and 4, below).
To date, the best source for illustrating the characteristics
of Knossian LM IIIB Late is deposit no. 2, after
which the group is named.
Town
1) MUM, Room C, robbing pit at S end of room (level
8) (Popham 1984, pls. 9: a, 107: c-d), stratified above
LM IIIB Early (Makritikhos 'Kitchen' Group, deposit
no. 11). This deposit contained handmade burnished
pottery, but this was not reported by the excavator
(Popham 1984).
2) MUM North Platform Pits 2 and 4 (Popham 1984,
93, pls. 179, 180: 1-5, 126, 127: a-c). Contents of pits
dug into the LM I A fill of the North Platform (Popham
1984, pl. 9, Section 1). This material can now be linked
to the contemporary settlement at the Little Palace
North site (see no. 14 below).
3) Little Palace (Hatzaki 2005a). Selected decorated rim
sherds from A. J. Evans's excavations, from uncertain
stratigraphical contexts, illustrated in Popham 1970c.
These are closely comparable with the pottery found in
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246 ELENIHATZAKI
Pig- 6.35. MUM North Platform Pits Group (LM I I IB
Lustrous Ware, champagne cup, all in fine buff fabric (aft
deposit no. 1, above, suggesting that they probably
derived from similar pits.
4) Little Palace North (Blackman 2002, 107-8; Whitley
2003, 81; Hatzaki 2005^). Redeposited debris, west of
the 'Re-used Ashlar Building', stratified above LM IIIB
Early (Makritikhos 'Kitchen' Group, deposit no. 22)
and below LM IIIC (SEX Southern Half Group,
deposit no. 8).
Cemeteries
5) Mavro Spelio: Tomb V, reused (Popham 1981, pl.
59a-b).
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FINAL PALA TIAL (LM II-LM IIIA2) AND POSTPALA TIAL (LM IIIB-LM IIIC EARLY) 247
Characteristics of the MUM North Platform Pits
Group (LM IIIB Late)
The relative scarcity of published (and unpublished)
deposits assignable to this group makes it difficult to
provide a detailed definition of the LM IIIB Late
ceramic phase at Knossos. There is, however, sufficient
evidence suggesting a certain degree of continuity in
terms of fabrics (e.g. fine buff, coarse buff, coarse
reddish brown), wares (e.g. Dark-on-Light Lustrous,
Plain Lustrous and Plain), and forms (e.g. cup, bowl,
kylix). The main innovations appear to be a dramatic
increase in Dark-on-Light Lustrous ware in fine buff
fabric and the appearance of (imported) Handmade
Burnished Ware.
The main fine buff fabric, used in the production of
Dark-on-Light and Plain Lustrous Wares, continues
from the previous group. Coarse fabrics and other wares
are also attested in this group, but they have not yet been
sufficiently studied to allow proper discussion here.
Fine buff fabric
This shows no distinct variation from the preceding
group. Wares occurring in this fabric are Dark-on-Light
Lustrous and Plain Lustrous.
Dark-on-Light Lustrous Ware
No differences in paint from the previous group can be
observed, although occasionally the paint is rather flaky.
Paint colour, usually with a glossy finish, varies from a
very pale yellowish brown, to orange and to brilliant
cherry red, the latter a new feature reminiscent of
material from Khania (perhaps a deliberate imitation?).
The brush stroke is occasionally applied in such a way
so as to create a feather-like appearance (not be confused,
however, with that characteristic of LM I, which is far
more transparent). The interior of open-shaped vessels
is provided with a thick monochrome glossy coat, black,
red or orange in colour. A reserved circle may be left on
the interior base of cups and bowls. Motifs (Popham
1984, pl. 179) are usually floral or linear in inspiration
(FIG. 6.35: 1-7) and set in a frieze defined by a rim band
and a one thick or two thin body bands.
Forms occurring in this ware include the one-handled
cup (FIG. 6.35: 1-3), which is distinctly smaller than its
LM IIIB Early predecessor: it also has a rather straightsided
upper body ending with an everted rim (Popham
1984, pl. 180: 1-3). The bowl (FIG. 6.35: 4-5) has a wide
rim diameter and narrow base: its upper body slants
slightly outwards, ending with a rather everted rim and
giving it an S-profile, different from its LM IIIB Early
predecessor (FIG. 6.27: 1-2), from which it probably
developed (Mountjoy 1999a). There is no distinct
variation in the shape of the kylix from the preceding
LM IIIB Early period, apart from a preference for the
type with roll handles raising well above the rim (FIG.
6.35: 6-7; Popham 1970c, fig. 1: 2).
Plain Lustrous Ware
Very little can be said about fine plain wares of the period
as the sample of published (and unpublished) material
is still very small. A fairly complete champagne cup (FIG.
6.35: 8) is identical in shape to the LM IIIB Early version
(FIG. 6.29: 4-5; Popham 1984, pl. 180: 5), but this form
seems to drop off in popularity.
Relative chronology of the MUM North
Platform Pits Group (LM IIIB Late)
From the currently published data, ceramic synchronisms
between the MUM North Platform Group and
the rest of the island are difficult to establish (TABLE
6.5), but it is hoped that fuller publication of the SEX
and Little Palace North stratigraphic sequences will
help towards the solution of this problem. The only
clear synchronism is with LM IIIB2 deposits from
Khania (Hallager and Hallager 2000, 260, 263), which
have yielded cups and bowls of comparable shape and
TABLE 6.5: Selected Cretan sites with deposits contemporary with the MUM North
Platform Pits Group (LM IIIB late).
West Crete
Khania: Ayia Aikaterini Square LM IIIB2 settlement (Hallager and Hallager 2000)
North-Central Crete
Ayia Pelagia (Kanta 20030, H7)
South-Central Crete
Kommos: ? Deposit 98 (Watrous 1992, 100-2)
Mallia / Lasithi
p
East Crete
Palaikastro: Re-occupation over Building 1 (MacGillivray et al. 1987, figs. 4-6, pl. 23; MacGillivray 1997, 203)
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248 ELENI HATZAKI
decoration, and Handmade Burnished Ware. The LM
IIIB2 levels at Khania, however, also include bell kraters,
whereas at Knossos these are associated with deposits
of the SEX Southern Half Group (LM IIIC Early).
This is a period, however, when regional trends are
strong, and Khania is probably introducing new features
in its ceramic repertoire, influenced from the Greek
mainland, before other parts of Crete. The pottery from
the abandonment levels of the reoccupation building
constructed over Building 1 at Palaikastro is earlier than
that from the destruction deposits at Kastri, and could
be broadly contemporary with the MUM North
Platform Pits 2 and 4 Group.
Much work needs to be done on the Knossian LM
IIIB Late and LM IIIC Early sequence as well as on the
synchronisation with other sites in Crete and on the
Greek mainland (see, most recently, Rutter 2003, 249-
51, 255-6). So far only one mainland import has been
found at Knossos: a LH IIIB2 bowl from a level above a
building abandoned in LM IIIB Early and associated
with LM IIIB (Late?) pottery (Warren 1997, 169).
Currently there is no evidence of direct cross-links
between the MUM North Platform Pits Group and
other Mediterranean regions, but contemporary levels
at Khania provide useful synchronisms (Hallager and
Hallager 2000, 252-6).
THE SEX SOUTHERN HALF GROUP (LM IIIC
EARLY)
Archaeological contexts (FIG. 6.36)
This pottery group is represented by a series of deposits
from the Knossos town. The position of this group in
the Knossos sequence is shown by deposit no. 8, which
was stratified directly above LM IIIB Late (MUM
North Platform Pits Group, deposit no. 4) and below
Sub-Minoan. In addition, there are sufficient stylistic
features and correlations with deposits from other
regions of Crete and of the Aegean to suggest that this
group represent a subsequent ceramic phase, which
could be labelled LM IIIC Early (TABLE 6.6). Several
isolated vases found in funerary contexts at Knossos
(nos. 10-13) can be assigned on stylistic grounds to this
group, showing reuse of earlier LBA tombs.
Town
1) SEX Southern Half, Trench T, cluster of vases from
pit (Warren 1983, figs. 41-2, 49: bottom row, 1997, 181-
3), stratified above an LM IIIA2 wall.
2) SEX Southern Half, Apsidal House (Warren 1983,
figs. 46-8, 49: top row, 1997, 181-3). Primary deposits
associated with this building.
3) SEX Southern Half, building S of Apsidal Building
(Warren 1983, figs. 52-4). Pottery associated with the
use of this building, stratified above LM IIIB Early
(MUM North Platform Pits Group, deposit no. 16).
Fig. 6.36. SEX Southern Half Group
(LM IIIC early): location of deposits
listed in the text.
4) SEX Southern Half, building with 'stone table',
unbaked clay weights and LM IIIC fringe crater
(Warren 1983, figs. 57-9).
5) SEX Southern Half, Trench W, building with clay
bench (Warren 1983, fig. 55).
6) SEX1969, SMXT Pit U (Popham 1970*, fig. 2;
Popham 1970c, pl. 49a). According to the excavator, this
was a dump stratified above LM IIIA pottery (Popham
1970c, 195).
7) Little Palace North (Blackman 2002, 107-8; Whitley
2003, 81; Hatzaki 2005b). Occupation levels to the
west of N-S wall of building located at west end of
excavated area.
8) Little Palace North (Blackman 2002, 107-8; Whitley
2003, 81; Hatzaki 2005^). Occupation levels stratified
above LM IIIB Late (see MUM North Platform Pits
Group, deposit no. 4) and below Sub-Minoan.
Cemeteries
9) Isopata Royal Tomb: reuse, stirrup jar (Evans 1906^,
fig. 122).
10) Kephala Tholos tomb. There is a small group of
pottery which stylistically can be assigned to this pottery
group, showing reuse of this tomb (Cadogan 1967, figs.
2: 8, 11; 3: 12-13, 18; pl. 50: 15; Popham 1978, pl. 25c).
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FINAL PALA TIAL (LM II-LM IIIA2) AND POSTPALA TIAL (LM IIIB-LM IIIC EARLY) 249
TABLE 6.6: Selected Cretan sites with deposits contemporary with the SEX Southern
Half Group (LM IIIC early).
West Crete
Khania: Ayia Aikaterini Square LM IIIC settlement and associated levels (Hallager and Hallager 2000; Hallager 2003); Kastelli
1966 Trench B (Tzedakis and Kanta 1978; Kanta 1997).
Chamalevri (Andreadaki-Vlasaki 1993, pl. 4b; Andreadaki-Vlasaki 1996^, pls. 2b, 7b).
Thronos: Pit 3 (D'Agata 1999, 189-91, figs. 4-6); Pit 5 (D'Agata 1999, 195-6, figs. 7-8).
North-Central Crete
Kastelli Pediados: Phase 1 (Rethemiotakis 1997, 308-12 figs. 8-i5a-c, e); Phase 2 (Rethemiotakis 1997, figs. i5d and 21-3
Kastrokephala (Kanta and Karetsou 2003; Kanta 20030).
South-Central Crete
Phaistos: Acropoli mediana (Borgna 1997, 277-81 figs. 1-19).
Mallia / Lasithi
?
East Crete
Kato Syme: West Room (Lebessi 1973, 193, pl. 197a; Karetsou 1978, 254, fig. 14).
Kavousi Kastro: Phase I (Mook and Coulson 1997, figs. 8-17).
Palaikastro: Kastri (Bosanquet 1902, 289, fig. 2; Sackett and Popham 1965, figs. 8-17, pls. 73-8).
There is also some Sub-Minoan pottery (Cadogan 1967,
fig. 2: 4, 14, but not included by Coldstream 2001, 74).
11) Mavro Spelio Tomb V: reuse (Forsdyke 1927,
fig. 12).
12) South Tomb 2: reuse of LM II chamber tomb
(Popham 1981, fig. 2, pl. 59d-h). This tomb contained
pottery stylistically comparable with LM IIIC Early
material from the settlement. Popham, however, has
cautioned that the kalathos (Popham 1978, pl. 25c) could
be even later, thus implying that the tomb received more
than one burial at different dates (LM IIIC Early and
Sub-Minoan).
Characteristics of the SEX Southern Half Group
(LM IIIC Early)
None of the deposits listed above has been fully
published, and for this reason the following account is
largely based on Warren's preliminary reports on the
LM IIIC settlement at the SEX site and on the author's
preliminary study of the pottery from the Little Palace
North excavations. There is a considerable degree of
continuity in fabrics, wares and forms, especially among
cups and bowls, from the preceding period. Main
innovations include the introduction of the bell krater,
and a type of bowl close to Furumark's (19410) FS 284,
with a flaring upper body and a slightly raised foot. The
decorated kylix is relatively rare in proportion to
decorated cups and bowls.
Fine buff fabric
Macroscopically there is no distinction between fabrics
of this group and the previous one, and this applies to
the associated wares, namely Dark-on-Light Lustrous
and Dark-on-Light. Other wares are attested in this
group, but have not yet been sufficiently studied and
illustrated to allow further discussion here.
Dark-on-Light Lustrous Ware
This ware continues unchanged from the previous phase
and includes the following forms. As suggested by
Mountjoy (19990, 511)-, tne /W/ illustrated in FIG. 6.37:
1 is closer in shape to Furumark's (194 la) FS284 than
to the LM IIIB Late version (FIG. 6.35: 4-5) and very
different from the LM IIIB Early version (FIG. 6.27:
1-2). One should note, however, that this bowl is not
very close to mainland types, for its upper body flares
outwards and is not bell-shaped; interiors are normally
monochrome and, occasionally, a reserved band effect
is created on the interior rim by applying a rim band
followed by a monochrome interior, leaving a gap of 3-
5 cm; decorative motifs continue to be applied (though
more spaciously) within a frieze that occupies the
vessel's upper body (FIG. 6.37: 1-2); Warren (1997, 182)
notes that this form has replaced the cup in popularity.
The LM IIIB Early version of the bowl (FIG. 6.35: 4-
5) continues to be found in deposits of this period. The
mug with a trough-spout opposite the handle and
concave sides is known from a single specimen (Popham
1981, pl. 59: f)- A new form is the fc// Crater (FIG. 6.37:
3-4; Cadogan 1967, fig. 2: 11), which can vary
considerably in size, with rim diameters 23-40 cm; in
shape, it resembles a large version of the deep bowl;
examples can often be very elaborately decorated
(Warren 1983, figs. 43, 55, 59, 1997, 182) and have
monochrome interiors. A jug with a horizontal rim, a
rounded body, a ring foot and an ovoid handle is another
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250 ELENIHATZAKI
Fig. 6.3 p ' SEX Southern Half Group (LM
Ware and fine buff fabric; (6-7) tripod cook
1 983, fig*- 4i-4).
innovation (FIG. 6.37: 5; Warren 1997, 18
body is decorated with a wavy band, wherea
body bands cover the middle belly. The sm
stirrup jar continues, now decorated in Octo
/ Fringe Style (Warren 1997, 182; Evans 1906
Other variations of the stirrup jar include
version (Popham 1981,
stirrup jar (Popham 19
Dark-on-Light Ware
The one handled 'blob
this group, but no exam
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FINAL PALA TIAL (LM II-LM IIIA2) AND POSTPALA TIAL (LM IIIB-LM IIIC EARLY) 25 1
Coarse reddish brown fabric
Macroscopically no distinct variations can be observed
from the previous phase. Vessels produced in this fabric
are in Plain Ware and include the tripod cooking pot with
globular body, everted rim, two horizontal or one
vertical handle, depending on size, round-section legs
with a thumb/finger impression or a slash (FIG. 6.37:
6; Warren 1983, fig. 53; 1997, 182; Cadogan 1967, fig.
5: 15, pl. 50: 12). Other forms include the cup (FIG.
6.37: 7) and the circular tray (Warren 1997, 182).
Relative chronology of the SEX Southern Half
Group (LM IIIC Early)
Precise chronological correlations between the
Knossian SEX Southern Half Group and deposits from
other Cretan and Aegean regions are quite difficult to
establish. The main obstacles are the paucity of the
Knossian ceramic material and the fact that it has
not been fully studied and published as yet. Nevertheless,
some sound synchronisms can be established
with the Cretan sites listed in TABLE 6.6 through
stylistic similarities between the form and decoration
on bowls and cups.
At sites such as Kavousi, Thronos and Khania
archaeologists have phased their LM IIIC sequence into
early, middle and late (Hallager 2003, 105; Mook and
Coulson 1997; D'Agata 1999, 2003), and the parallels
between the Knossos SEX Southern Half Group and
these sites seem to be with their early phases. For other
areas of the Aegean, starting with mainland Greece, so
far no LH IIIC imports have been identified at Knossos.
Khania has yielded mainland imports from its LM IIIC
Early levels, but these range in date from LH IIIA2 to
LH IIIB2 (Hallager and Hallager 2000, 165). However,
the stylistic correlations between the Knossian bowl and
Furumark's (19410) FS 284 noted by Mountjoy (see
above) could help to establish some synchronisation
between this Knossian group and LH IIIC.
A north Italian bronze knife was discovered above
the floor of the LM IIIC Early Apsidal Building at
Knossos (Warren 1983, figs. 50-1), but to date no
ceramics from either the eastern or western Mediterranean
have been published from Knossos. A preliminary
study of deposits from the Little Palace North site,
however, has revealed the presence of handmade
burnished pottery. The LM IIIC Early levels at Khania
provide the most useful synchronisms with the east and
west Mediterranean (Hallager and Hallager 2000).
Kanta (2003^) provides an update of LM IIIC Early
pottery found in Cypriot contexts. Finally, YasurLandau's
(2003) analysis of Aegean pottery in the
Levant suggests that LH IIIC Early begins sometime
after the reign of Rameses II.
EPILOGUE: THE END OF THE BRONZE AGE
AT KNOSSOS
The SEX Southern Half Group has been assigne
LM IIIC Early because of its synchronism with o
Cretan sites discussed above. It is unclear which
deposits from Knossos (if any) could be contemporary
with later phases of LM IIIC identified on the island
and with the latest Mycenaean deposits on mainland
Greece. In addition, what is now labelled Sub-Minoan
at Knossos (Coldstream 2001, 21-76) is essentially
contemporary with the beginning of the Early Iron Age
in the rest of Greece.
At the SEX site Sub-Minoan pottery (Warren 1983,
figs. 6oa-b, 61) is reported from a pit stratified above
another one of LM IIIB Late or LM IIIC Early date
(Warren 1984, fig. 49: centre row right). Sub-Minoan
building remains, stratified above LM IIIC Early, were
revealed in the south-east area of SEX (Trenches U, X,
Y: Warren 1983, 79-83). There is evidence for the reuse
(or continued use?) of LM IIIC Early walls during the
Sub-Minoan period (Warren 1983, 80). Comparable
evidence is attested at the Little Palace North site: SubMinoan
levels are reported stratified directly above
levels assigned to the SEX Southern Half Group
(deposit no. 8), but these are the results of a preliminary
study. A similar picture emerges from the cemeteries.
LBA tombs, reused in LM IIIC Early (deposits 1 1 and
13), also receive interments in Sub-Minoan. The
currently available stratigraphical and stylistic data do
not allow the identification of deposits later than the
SEX Southern Half Group (LM IIIC Early) and earlier
than Sub-Minoan as defined by Coldstream (2001).
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Jar in sandy and gritty fabric, from the Temple Tomb.
5.21. LM IA. Plain Ware tripod cooking pot.
Tripod cooking pot in sandy and gritty fabric, from the Temple Tomb.
5.22. LM IA. Plain and Dark on Light tripod cooking pots.
Tripod cooking pots in coarse reddish-brown fabric, from MUM, South Corridor.
5.23. LM IB. Dark on Light Ware.
Rounded cups and closed shape vessels in fine buff fabric, from the Temple Tomb.
CHAPTER 6 (E. HatzakiY
6.1. LM II. Dark on Light Ware kylix.
Kylix in fine buff fabric, from the Temple Tomb.
6.2. LM II. Dark on Light Ware shallow cup.
After Popham 1984, pl. 51 b. (Photo BS A Archive).
6.3. LM II. Dark on Light Ware jug.
After Popham 1984, pl. 60 d. (Photo BSA Archive).
6.4. LM II. Dark on Light Ware reed cups.
Reed cup in fine buff fabric, from MUM, Room H.
6.5. LM II. Dark o Light, Monochrome, and Plain Ware cups.
Cups in fine buff fabric, from MUM, Room H.
6.6. LM II. Dark on Light Ware Palace Style jar.
After Popham 1984, pl. 68 b. (Photo BSA Archive).
6.7. LM II. Dark on Light Ware Palace Style jar.
Palace style jar in coarse buff fabric, from the Temple Tomb. (Photo BSA Archive).
6.8. LM II. Dark on Light Ware amphorae.
After Popham 1984, pl. 72 a-b. (Photo BSA Archive).
6.9. LM II. Dark on Light Ware transport stirrup jars.
After Popham 1984, pl. 73 a and b. (Photo BSA Archive).
6.10. LM II. Plain Ware basin and jar.
Basin and jar in coarse buff fabric, from the Temple Tomb.
6.11. LM II. Dark on Light Ware pithos.
11
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After Popham 1984, pl. 76 a. (Photo BSA Archive).
6.12. LM II. Relief Ware pithos.
After Popham 1984, pl. 78 a. (Photo BSA Archive).
6.13. LM II. Tripod cooking pot and Western Anatolian jug.
After Popham 1984, pl. 86 a and f. (Photo BSA Archive).
6.14. LM IIIA1. Dark on Light Lustrous Ware cups.
After Popham 1984, pl. 1 16. (Photo BSA Archive).
6.15. IM IIIA1 . Tin Coated and Plain Ware ky likes and conical cup.
After Popham etal. 1974, pl. 35 c. (Photo BSA Archive).
6.16. LM IIIA1. Dark on Light Ware transport stirrup jar .
After Popham etal. 1974, pl. 34a. (Photo BSA Archive).
6.17. LM IIIA2. Dark on Light Lustrous Ware cups.
After Popham 1984, pl. 121 c. (Photo BSA Archive).
6.18. LM IIIA2. Plain Lustrous Ware kylix.
Kylix in fine buff fabric, from the Temple Tomb.
6.19. LM IIIA2. Dark on Light Ware transport stirrup jar.
Transport stirrup jar in coarse buff fabric, from the Temple Tomb.
6.20. LM IIIA2. Plain Ware pedestalled brazier.
Pedestalled brazier in coarse reddish-brown fabric, from the Temple Tomb.
6.21. LM MB early. Dark on Light Ware cups and bowls.
After Popham 1984, pl. 109 c.
6.22. LM MB early. Dark on Light Ware cups, bowls, and stirrup jar.
After Popham 1984, pl. 105 f.
6.23. IM MB early. Plain Ware kylikes, champagne and shallow cups.
Kylikes and cups in fine buff fabric, from MUM, Room C.
6.24. LM MB early. Dark on Light Ware transport stirrup jars.
Transport stirrup jars in coarse buff fabric, from MUM, Room C.
6.25. LM MB early. Dark on Light Ware amphoroid krater.
After Popham 1984, pl. 105 h.
6.26. LM MB early. Plain Ware pedestalled braziers.
12
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Braziers in coarse reddish-brown fabric, from MUM Rooms A and C.
6.27. LM IIIB early. Plain Ware tripod cooking pots.
Tripod cooking pots in coarse reddish-brown fabric, from MUM, Room D.
6.28. LM IIIB late. Light on Dark Ware bowls and cups.
After Popham 1970c, pl. 50 a. (Photo BSA Archive).
13
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