Publications
East of Knossos, West of Malia. Changing Settlement Patterns Between Two Major Minoan Polities
A shift in power and settlement patterns between the Minoan palatial centres of Knossos and Malia is evident from the second millennium BCE, with Malia dominating during the Protopalatial period before Knossos expanded its influence. This study reveals a centralization trend in habitation models during the late Neopalatial period, likely due to Knossos's expansionist policies, supported by new archaeological data from rescue excavations and existing knowledge. The research highlights continuous habitation from Late Minoan IB to IIIB near Gournes and sparse settlements in MM IIIB–LM IA, contrasting with dense Protopalatial installations. The findings underscore the dynamic balance of power between these two major Minoan polities over time.
A Canaanite jar with a Cypro-Minoan inscription from Tiryns: TIRY Avas 001
A rare Canaanite jar with a Cypro-Minoan inscription, discovered at the Minoan palatial site of Tiryns, sheds new light on ancient trade and communication networks. The reconstruction of the entire vessel—including its handle, rim, base, and body sherds—reveals previously unpublished details about its fabric and origin, tracing its journey from the Levantine coast to Cyprus before being deposited in Tiryns' Lower Citadel during a palatial destruction event. Macroscopic analysis of the jar's fabric provides clues about its place of manufacture, while the inscription offers insights into its probable uses and meanings. This study significantly expands our understanding of cross-cultural interactions in the Bronze Age Mediterranean.
Pottery traditions in Kydonia: Preliminary results from the petrographic analysis of three pottery assemblages in Chania
Petrographic analysis of pottery from Chania, Crete, reveals distinct continuity and discontinuity in the use of fabrics and clay recipes during the Late Minoan III period (LM IIIA1-B2), following the collapse of the Minoan palatial system. The study examines three assemblages, highlighting regional variations in raw material selection for coarse wares—used for domestic purposes—and semi-fine/fine wares, which were integral to transportation and consumption of staples. Findings underscore the resilience of Kydonia's pottery traditions, including the technological characteristics of its renowned 'Kydonian workshop,' by comparing contexts across different chronological horizons.
A New Minoan-Type Peak Sanctuary on Stelida, Naxos
A new Minoan-type peak sanctuary has been identified on Stelida, Naxos, suggesting that the island played a more dynamic role in socio-religious and economic interactions with Neopalatial Crete during the 2nd millennium BCE. This discovery is based on architectural remains, material culture, and strategic location comparable to known Cretan peak sanctuaries. The site's prominence over Grotta, Naxos' main harbor and Bronze Age center, reinforces its significance in Minoan influence across the Aegean. The findings challenge previous assumptions about Naxos' limited engagement with Cretan palatial centers like Knossos.
Living apart together. A ceramic analysis of Eastern Crete during the advanced Late Bronze Age
A ceramic analysis of Eastern Crete during the advanced Late Bronze Age (1450–1200 BCE) reveals that Cretan society underwent significant transformations following the violent destructions of LM IB palatial centres, challenging assumptions about Mycenaean influence. The study suggests that while Greek-speaking elites may have taken control of Knossos and imposed centralized administration using Linear B script, Minoan cultural identity persisted in Eastern Crete, indicating a complex interplay rather than complete assimilation. This finding sheds new light on the post-collapse dynamics between Crete and the Mycenaean Mainland, emphasizing continuity and resistance in local traditions despite broader political shifts.
Creta Capta: Late Minoan II Knossos in Mycenaean History
The Late Minoan II period (c. 1470–1420 BC) at Knossos marked a transformative phase in Aegean Bronze Age history, serving as the foundational experiment for Mycenaean palatial administration. This study reveals that Mycenaeans, upon gaining control of Knossos—previously an unmatched administrative center—adapted to ruling a complex palatial system, a novel experience for them. This period, often overshadowed by later Mycenaean dominance, provided the blueprint for mainland palaces that would shape Aegean politics for centuries. The research contextualizes the rise of Late Helladic III culture within this critical transition, emphasizing Knossos as a pivotal site in Mycenaean history rather than merely a Minoan legacy.
The Middle Minoan Slipway for Ships at the Kommos Harbour, and Harbour Development in Prehistoric Crete
A previously overlooked Middle Minoan (MM) slab pavement at Kommos, Crete, has been re-evaluated as a unique slipway for ships, challenging earlier assumptions about its purpose. Unlike typical processional walkways found in Minoan palatial sites—often flat and connecting building complexes—the Kommos pavement slopes consistently toward the water edge, featuring seven evenly spaced gaps (0.15–0.20 m wide) every 2.40 m. Five of these gaps are intentionally aligned, suggesting a functional role in ship handling, likely for sliding vessels in and out of the water. This interpretation is supported by the absence of similar structures elsewhere in Crete, except for a Phaistos walkway with narrow gaps, which may have served as drains. The discovery sheds new light on prehistoric maritime infrastructure and the sophistication of Minoan harbor development.
The Evansian Period of Knossos: Inconvenient History and the World Heritage List
Knossos, one of the most significant ancient Minoan palatial centers on Crete, has not been inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List (WHL) despite its outstanding universal value. This study argues that a new submission for 'Minoan Palatial Centres' could be strengthened by acknowledging Sir Arthur Evans' controversial 20th-century reconstruction work and architectural speculation (c. 1900–1935). While Evans' theories, many of which have been disproven, are still used to enhance the heritage value of these sites, they need not form the basis of a WHL proposal. Instead, the study proposes that openly addressing this 'inconvenient history' could enrich the narrative and strengthen any future application, recognizing Knossos' pivotal role in Mediterranean ancient history and architecture.
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