Courts and open spaces in the Late Helladic III Argolid

TY - GEN

T1 - Courts and open spaces in the Late Helladic III Argolid

AU - Siennicka, Malgorzata

PY - 2015

Y1 - 2015

N2 - While space remains a neglected subject in research on Mycenaean settlements, archaeological and ethnographical studies devoted to social meaning of places and areas used by the inhabitants of the prehistoric and other communities increase in number. This paper aims to review the use and significance of courts and other open spaces in the Mycenaean settlements in the Argolid during the Palatial and Post-Palatial periods (c. 15th–11th centuries BC). Various categories of areas, like courts, open spaces and open-air areas are discussed, with an emphasis on their functions and status. Courts and open spaces are considered as reflecting patterns of spatial organization in the settlements and of the diverse activities of their residents. The differences between the use of open areas in the acropoleis and in the lower towns are pointed out, as well as changes in the use patterns after the fall of the palatial culture.

AB - While space remains a neglected subject in research on Mycenaean settlements, archaeological and ethnographical studies devoted to social meaning of places and areas used by the inhabitants of the prehistoric and other communities increase in number. This paper aims to review the use and significance of courts and other open spaces in the Mycenaean settlements in the Argolid during the Palatial and Post-Palatial periods (c. 15th–11th centuries BC). Various categories of areas, like courts, open spaces and open-air areas are discussed, with an emphasis on their functions and status. Courts and open spaces are considered as reflecting patterns of spatial organization in the settlements and of the diverse activities of their residents. The differences between the use of open areas in the acropoleis and in the lower towns are pointed out, as well as changes in the use patterns after the fall of the palatial culture.

KW - Faculty of Humanities

M3 - Conference article

VL - 4

SP - 361

EP - 376

JO - Acta Instituti Atheniensis Regni Sueciae

JF - Acta Instituti Atheniensis Regni Sueciae

IS - 56

ER -