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The signs known as 'masons' marks' were carved on blocks of stone
in Bronze Age Crete over a period of some 500 years from around
2000 BC until the middle of the 15th century bc. The earliest
examples seem to occur at Knossos, dating from the time when the
so-called Early Palace was constructed there. Soon thereafter
blocks with comparable signs were incorporated in the palatial
centres at Phaistos and Malia. In due course, the practice spread
elsewhere in Crete and to Akrotiri on the island of Thera, but is
only rarely attested on the Greek mainland. By far the greatest
number of these signs occurs at Knossos, making this site of unique
importance for their study and interpretation. Volume I presents a
typology and chronology of the signs, considers their distribution
beyond Knossos, examines comparanda in other media and in cultures
beyond Crete, and provides a detailed discussion of their purpose.
It also offers a full catalogue of some 1600 signs in the Palace of
Knossos and surrounding buildings. The commentary provides
invaluable evidence for the architectural history of the Palace,
drawing on copious unpublished observations made by Evans during
the excavations and the work of later scholars. Volume II presents
a complete photographic record of the Knossian signs, numerous line
drawings, as well as plans and elevations showing their location.
Much of the field work for this volume was undertaken from 1978-81,
following the realization that many signs were disappearing
rapidly, owing to weathering and flaking away of surfaces on which
they had been cut. In the years since, further losses have
occurred. Thus this monumental study provides crucial
documentation, never to be repeated, for the major palatial site of
Minoan Knossos and will serve as a key research tool for students
and scholars of Bronze Age Crete.
The Mycenaean Linear B tablets include numerous references to
religion, such as details of offerings, banqueting foodstuffs or
land-tenure relating to cult personnel. While contributing
significantly to our understanding of early Greek religion, the
documents are exclusively economic and administrative records and
the limitations of such sources have long been recognised. Few
attempts have been made, however, to analyse the purely economic
information about religion we do have in Linear B. Such analysis is
essential to understanding the place of religion in Mycenaean
palace society. This book asks a simple but important question:
What proportion of the resources available to the palaces was
directed towards support for religion? Price approx.
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