Thera in the Bronze Age (American University Studies)

Description

The modern excavations at Akrotiri, on the Greek island of Thera (also known as Santorini), have provided students of antiquity with a unique opportunity to examine the civilization of the Aegean Bronze Age (3000-1100 BC) and the role of Thera within it. Thera in the Bronze Age presents a detailed study of the geography, history, and culture of a vibrant society that met its end in a catastrophic volcanic eruption which, ironically, preserved the city at Akrotiri just as it was in its final moments. TABLE OF CONTENTS LIST OF FIGURES 1. Modern Thera 2. Original Islands 3. Akrotiri Volcanoes 4. Thera Volcanoes 5. Megalo Vouno 6. Unified Complex 7. Lower Pumice 2 Caldera 8. Therasia Complex 9. Northern Lava Fields 10. Northern Caldera 11. Cape Riva Caldera 12. LBA Thera (after Heiken and McCoy:1984) 13. LBA Thera (after Friedrich et al:1988) 14. LBA Thera (after Druitt and Francaviglia:1990) 15. LBA Thera (after Eriksen etal: 1990) 16. LBA Thera: Alternative Model 17. The Cyclades 18. Balos (after Fouqué:1879) 19. Ftellos (after Doumas: 1973) 20. Alaphouzos Quarry Site (after Fouqué:1879) 21. Plan of Akrotiri (courtesy of C. Doumas) 22. Xesté 3 23. Complex Gamma 24. Complex Beta 25. Complex Delta 26. West House 27. House of the Ladies 28. Complex Alpha 29. Xestés 2 and 5 30. Xesté 4 LIST OF PLATES I. Harpists (Courtesy: Badisches Landesmuseum) II. North Wall, Adyton, Xesté 3 (Courtesy: Athens, Idryma Theras, Petros M. Nomikos) III. Goddess, Xesté 3 (Courtesy: Athens, Idryma Theras, Petros M. Nomikos) IV. Boxing Boys and Antelopes (Courtesy: TAP Service) V. Monkeys (Courtesy: TAP Service) VI. Spring Fresco (Courtesy: TAP Service) VIIa. South Wall, Room 5, West House (Courtesy: TAP Service) VIIb. North Wall, Room 5, West House (Courtesy: TAP Service) VIIIa. South Wall, Room 5, West House (Courtesy: TAP Service) VIIIb. East Wall, Room 5, West House (Courtesy: TAP Service) IX. Priestess, West House (Courtesy: TAP Service) X. South Wall, Room 1, House of the Ladies (Courtesy: TAP Service) XI. North Wall, Room 1, House of the Ladies (Courtesy: TAP Service) Preface 1. Genesis: Birth of an Island The Neolithic Period 2. Thera and the Emergence of the Cyclades The Early Cycladic (EC) Period Thera in the Early Bronze Age The Cyclades in the Middle Bronze Age Middle Cycladic Thera Crete and the End of the Middle Bronze Age in the Cyclades 3. Thera and Crete in the Late Bronze Age Crete and Thera: A Special Relationship Thera in Late Cycladic I 4. The Late Bronze Age City at Akrotiri The Site at Akrotiri Xesté 3 Complex Gamma Complex Beta Complex Delta The West House The House of the Ladies Complex Alpha Xestés 2 and 5 Xesté 4 5. The Late Bronze Age Society of Thera 6. Apocalypse The Date of the LBA Eruption The Local Effects of the LBA Eruption of Thera List of Abbreviations Notes Chapter One: Genesis: Birth of an Island Chapter Two: Thera and the Emergence of the Cyclades Chapter Three: Thera and Crete in the Late Bronze Age Chapter Four: The Late Bronze Age City at Akrotiri Chapter Five: The Late Bronze Age Society of Thera Chapter Six: Apocalypse Bibliography Index Plates