Pottery production, distribution and consumption in early Minoan West Crete : an analytical perspective.

This thesis investigates the provenance and technology of pottery during the earlier Prepalatial period (EM I-EM IIB) in West Crete, using an integrated approach involving stylistic examination and physico-chemical analysis.
Although the stylistic particularities of the West Cretan Early Minoan assemblages have been acknowledged since the 1960's, there has been no attempt to assess and interpret the differences, and integrate this part of Crete into the broader picture of the Prepalatial period. Due to the lack of publications and analyses, West Crete remained away from the new developments that have changed the way the Prepalatial period is considered.
As part of the GEOPRO TMR Network, this project applies an integrated methodology to' the ceramic material from selected sites and investigates issues of pottery provenance and technology. The analytical techniques used comprise thin section petrography, neutron activation analysis and scanning electron microcopy with EDAX attachment. Possible locations of production for the various fabrics are suggested and technological issues, such as clay recipes, firing practices and pottery manufacturing traditions, are discussed in detail.
All pottery examined in the project appear to have been manufactured within West Crete and the majority of the fabrics are likely to have been manufactured close to their findspots. There are, however, markedly contrasting traditions of pottery manufacture, one producing relatively high-fired calcareous vessels and another non-calcareous, low-fired tradition. The stylistic correlates of these two very different forms of pottery technology are compared.
Issues concerning technological traditions, the identity and ethnicity of the producers and consumers of this pottery, and the organization of production are discussed. As the research revealed no imports from outside Crete, and this contrasts with Central and Eastern Crete, the position and role of West Crete in the Southern Aegean during the Early Bronze Age is re-assessed.