The archaeobotany of Neolithic and Bronze Age Crete: synthesis and prospects
This paper explores the full potential of archaeobotanical research in the investigation of issues such as agricultural practices and resource management and mobilisation in shaping the social dynamics of Neolithic and Bronze Age Crete, through a synthesis for the first time of all available archaeo...
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| Format: | Article |
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Cambridge University Press
2014
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| Online Access: | https://eprints.nottingham.ac.uk/28049/ |
| _version_ | 1848793494834905088 |
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| author | Livarda, Alexandra Kotzamani, Georgia |
| author_facet | Livarda, Alexandra Kotzamani, Georgia |
| author_sort | Livarda, Alexandra |
| building | Nottingham Research Data Repository |
| collection | Online Access |
| description | This paper explores the full potential of archaeobotanical research in the investigation of issues such as agricultural practices and resource management and mobilisation in shaping the social dynamics of Neolithic and Bronze Age Crete, through a synthesis for the first time of all available archaeobotanical information to date. To this body of data new information is added from six sites: Kephala Petras, Pryniatikos Pyrgos, Aghia Fotia, Knossos Little Palace North, Sissi and Zominthos. A comprehensive methodology is devised using three units of analysis to allow an in-depth study, firstly of the quality of the available dataset and secondly of its content. A total of 80 archaeobotanical records, compiled in one database, are examined in the light of the methods employed for their sampling, recovery and processing. The reliability of the current dataset is assessed, highlighting shortcomings; methodological issues are addressed to improve its quality. These records are then analysed according to their temporal, spatial and contextual distribution across the island. A synthesis of the full resource base, including cereals, legumes, fruits, nuts, condiments and wild species, is conducted, providing a contextualised picture of their availability and use, and identifying lacunae and interpretational potential. On these bases a research agenda is set and future research priorities and new approaches are suggested that place archaeobotany in the core of current archaeological discourse on social models, practices and meanings for prehistoric Crete. |
| first_indexed | 2025-11-14T19:01:12Z |
| format | Article |
| id | nottingham-28049 |
| institution | University of Nottingham Malaysia Campus |
| institution_category | Local University |
| last_indexed | 2025-11-14T19:01:12Z |
| publishDate | 2014 |
| publisher | Cambridge University Press |
| recordtype | eprints |
| repository_type | Digital Repository |
| spelling | nottingham-280492020-05-04T16:41:59Z https://eprints.nottingham.ac.uk/28049/ The archaeobotany of Neolithic and Bronze Age Crete: synthesis and prospects Livarda, Alexandra Kotzamani, Georgia This paper explores the full potential of archaeobotanical research in the investigation of issues such as agricultural practices and resource management and mobilisation in shaping the social dynamics of Neolithic and Bronze Age Crete, through a synthesis for the first time of all available archaeobotanical information to date. To this body of data new information is added from six sites: Kephala Petras, Pryniatikos Pyrgos, Aghia Fotia, Knossos Little Palace North, Sissi and Zominthos. A comprehensive methodology is devised using three units of analysis to allow an in-depth study, firstly of the quality of the available dataset and secondly of its content. A total of 80 archaeobotanical records, compiled in one database, are examined in the light of the methods employed for their sampling, recovery and processing. The reliability of the current dataset is assessed, highlighting shortcomings; methodological issues are addressed to improve its quality. These records are then analysed according to their temporal, spatial and contextual distribution across the island. A synthesis of the full resource base, including cereals, legumes, fruits, nuts, condiments and wild species, is conducted, providing a contextualised picture of their availability and use, and identifying lacunae and interpretational potential. On these bases a research agenda is set and future research priorities and new approaches are suggested that place archaeobotany in the core of current archaeological discourse on social models, practices and meanings for prehistoric Crete. Cambridge University Press 2014-01-09 Article PeerReviewed Livarda, Alexandra and Kotzamani, Georgia (2014) The archaeobotany of Neolithic and Bronze Age Crete: synthesis and prospects. The Annual of the British School at Athens, 108 . pp. 1-29. ISSN 2045-2403 archaeobotany archaeobotanical neolithic bronze age Crete http://journals.cambridge.org/action/displayAbstract?fromPage=online&aid=9198633&fileId=S0068245413000063 doi:10.1017/S0068245413000063 doi:10.1017/S0068245413000063 |
| spellingShingle | archaeobotany archaeobotanical neolithic bronze age Crete Livarda, Alexandra Kotzamani, Georgia The archaeobotany of Neolithic and Bronze Age Crete: synthesis and prospects |
| title | The archaeobotany of Neolithic and Bronze Age Crete: synthesis and prospects |
| title_full | The archaeobotany of Neolithic and Bronze Age Crete: synthesis and prospects |
| title_fullStr | The archaeobotany of Neolithic and Bronze Age Crete: synthesis and prospects |
| title_full_unstemmed | The archaeobotany of Neolithic and Bronze Age Crete: synthesis and prospects |
| title_short | The archaeobotany of Neolithic and Bronze Age Crete: synthesis and prospects |
| title_sort | archaeobotany of neolithic and bronze age crete: synthesis and prospects |
| topic | archaeobotany archaeobotanical neolithic bronze age Crete |
| url | https://eprints.nottingham.ac.uk/28049/ https://eprints.nottingham.ac.uk/28049/ https://eprints.nottingham.ac.uk/28049/ |