Lecture 6: The Prehistoric Aegean

Folded-Arm Figurine

Arms folded across the chest, typically the left over the right

True fresco

• Painted onto wet plaster

• Much more difficult, has to work quickly, incredibly durable, bright vibrant colors

• Minoans used true fresco

Secco fresco

Pigment painted onto dry plaster

Vasiliki ware

• Minoan pottery

• Distinctive mottled surface of black, red, and brown created by uneven firing and the controlled use of carbon during the firing process

Kamares ware

Minoan pottery from Crete

Polychrome

Multiple colors

Rhyton

Horn-shaped head of an animal/human figure

Light-well

• Huge

• Purpose: light and ventilation for buildings

• If you get Minoan palace on a test mention this

Lustral basin

• Steps leading to subterranean area

• Gypsum plaster

• Thought to be basins for ritual cleansings

Pier and door partitions

• Separated by openings

• Way to let light and air into the palaces

• Openings remained uncovered to let light and air in

Courtyard

• Function: connect important parts of the buildings

• Accessible from outside

Ashlar masonry

• Fit into place to form monumental wall

• After Bronze Age collapsed, technology to build these was lost

• Ritual complexes formed around these

Figure of a Woman

This piece was made during the Late Neolithic era. It is an example of a folded-arm figurine and is abstract. These figurines were found in grave/ritual settings and settlements. They were found purposefully broken and the destruction could’ve been important to ritual context. Some features are: curvy, odd shaped head, pronounced nose, painted facial features, displayed standing up.

Dolphin Fresco

The fresco comes from Knossos and is an example of both secco and true fresco. The style is naturalistic. There are no registers and the composition fills the entire space. It is a Minoan piece which all Minoan frescos we have, have been fixed because they’d fall off the walls.

Marine Style Flask

This is a Minoan ceramic vessel from Crete. It was created from around 1500-1450 BCE. It is dynamic and has realistic depictions of sea creatures that wrap around the vase. The flask emphasizes how the Minoans were known for animal pictures and natural worlds (depicted in naturalistic styles).

Knossos Palace

The palace had court-structured buildings and ritual areas. The residential areas had bathrooms with flushing toilets which shows the level of advancement. There was limited accessibility with only 4 entrances (one on each side). The building was destroyed in 1314 BCE.