The Mycenaeans used writing for a variety of administrative purposes. The archaeological evidence for writing suggests that it was a highly restricted technology. Mycenaeans used the Linear B script to write clay tablets, inscribe sealings, and paint on vessels. There is evidence to suggest that ephemeral documents of parchment or papyrus also were used for writing. In most of these instances, writing recorded economic transactions involving the material wealth of the state. The only exception is a small number of open-shaped vessels that are likely inscribed with personal names. The Linear B script is often blamed for the restriction of writing by the Mycenaeans. This open-syllabic script does not well represent the sound of spoken Greek, and requires the frequent use of dummy vowels and the omission of consonants at the end of syllables. Studies in literacy theory, however, suggest that script usage, reading, and writing are dictated by social factors and by need, rather than by forces supposedly inherent in the script itself. Writing was restricted because Mycenaean society dictated a restricted use. The sealings and tablets, which are found at several sites throughout mainland Greece and Crete, are small in size and are found almost exclusively in administrative contexts, in buildings that have functions in central administration. Writing is never found in public displays, as it is in the contemporary Near East. There was no intent to familiarize the Mycenaean populace with the technology of writing. Training in literacy likewise appears to have been highly restrictive, with new individuals being taught by scribes on an ad hoc, individualized basis. The loyalty of scribes to the king would have been essential. The sealings and tablets record the material wealth of the kingdom that was under the management of central administration. Furthermore, the contents of the tablets are not countermarked by seal impressions that would confirm their authenticity. Scribes would have been among the king’s closest administrators and members of the elite. The restriction of writing would ensure that all written words were legitimate, as they could only be written by the most trusted individuals in the kingdom. / text

Yes / The first archaeobotanical studies of the Middle Bronze Age lakeshore settlement demonstrate the enormous potential of this site for appropriate analyses. On the basis of the well-preserved layers a multitude of plant remains and wide diversity of species are present at this site. Evidence of emmer, spelt, tetraploid naked wheat, hulled barley, peas and broad beans conforms to the basic cultural crop spectrum of the Middle Bronze Age. The wild plants originate from various locations in the direct vicinity and allow an insight into the landscape at that time. Numerous wild plants were intentionally used by the settlers. Fruits gathered include cornelian cherries, hazelnuts, crab apples and a diversity of berries. Furthermore, archaeobotanical analyses support observations already made on site that within the settlement there are at least two functionally different areas. While in section 50/51 the layers contain the remains of daily food preparation, section 7 indicates a link to animal fodder. / National Geographic

This master thesis deals with middle bronze age and late bronze age pottery from site Emporio on Chios island. The aim of the thesis is to review older excavation that was provided by British School at Athens under direction of Sinclair Hood. The focus is set on new sorting of pottery mainly from Areas D and F, description, style analysis and making new Catalogue. Important contribution is new dating of stratigraphic contexts and ceramic material as well as newly published fragments of pottery. In the following chapters author also discusses relations with areas outside Chios based on analogies of ceramic finds.

Ce travail est consacré au culte rendu aux dieux à Ougarit dans son contexte syrien. Le but est d’avoir recours à toutes les sources archéologiques, iconographiques, archéozoologiques et épigraphiques pour appréhender les cultes qui étaient rendus aux dieux à Ougarit. Pour saisir la spécificité des cultes pratiqués à Ougarit, mais aussi leur ressemblance avec ceux de la même zone culturelle, je me suis proposé d’établir une comparaison avec d’autres cultes, par exemple ceux qui étaient pratiqués dans la région du nord de la Syrie à l’âge du Bronze moyen Alalaḫ, Qatna, Mari, Terqa, Tuttul, Ekalte et à l’âge du Bronze récent comme à Emar. Cela m’a permis, notamment d’étudier les liens entre ces différentes manières de pratiquer le culte. L’importance de cette étude réside dans la confrontation et la nouvelle présentation des différentes sources. Cette étude essaie de faire la lumière sur plusieurs points concernant le culte d’Ougarit, notamment le culte officiel et familial, ainsi que la place qu’il occupait à l’âge du Bronze moyen et récent. / This work is a study of ritual and cult at Ugarit within its broader Syrian context. The aim is to present and analyze a corpus of relevant documents, which derive from a variety of sources, be they archeological, iconographic, epigraphic, or archeozoological, in order better to define, not only which cults were practiced at Ugarit, but also to highlight their similarities with the religious practices documented in neighboring cultural areas, especially in north Syria during the Middle and Late Bronze Age. The comparative data thus derive from Alalakh, Qatna, Mari, Terqa, Tuttul and Ekalte for the Middle Bronze Age and Emar for the Late Bronze Age. Several problems particular to the cult at Ugarit are explored, such as the difference between official (public) and family (private) worship, but these are set against the background of the Middle and Late Bronze Age setting. The importance of the study lies in its comparative approach, casting light on the similarities, despite the obvious differences in worship.

Yau, Charlotte Ping Yuen. / Thesis (M.Phil.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2011. / Includes bibliographical references (p. 259-264). / Abstracts in English and Chinese ; includes Chinese. / Abstract --- p.ii / ackowledgements --- p.iv / list of figures & tables --- p.viii / Chapter Chapter 1 --- the discovery of bronze age cultures in hong kong --- p.1 / Chapter 1.1 --- Introduction --- p.1 / Chapter 1.2 --- Literature Review --- p.7 / Chapter 1.2.1 --- "Social Complexity, Specialization, and Standardization" --- p.7 / Chapter 1.2.2 --- Pottery Analysis --- p.12 / Chapter 1.2.3 --- The Debates: Chronology and Social Structure in Bronze Age Hong Kong --- p.15 / Chapter 1.2.4 --- Conclusion --- p.21 / Chapter chapter 2 --- research objectives and methodology --- p.24 / Objectives --- p.24 / Chapter 2.1 --- Unit of Analysis: Pottery Sherds --- p.25 / Chapter 2.1.1 --- The Double-F Pottery of Hong Kong --- p.31 / Chapter 2.1.1.1 --- "The Double-F Pottery of Boluo County, Guangdong Province" --- p.34 / Chapter 2.1.1.2 --- How the Double-F is Studied Here --- p.36 / Chapter 2.1.2 --- Other Potsherds --- p.37 / Chapter 2.1.2.1 --- Hard Geometric Pottery - the Lozenge-patterned --- p.37 / Chapter 2.1.2.2 --- Coarse Pottery - the Cord-marked --- p.37 / Chapter 2.2 --- Chronology of the Potsherds --- p.38 / Chapter 2.2.1 --- Stratigraphy --- p.39 / Chapter 2.2.2 --- Typological Sequences --- p.43 / Chapter 2.2.3 --- Measurements --- p.43 / Chapter chapter 3 --- "potsherds found in tai wan, Lamma island" --- p.46 / Chapter 3.1 --- Archaeological Data --- p.47 / Chapter 3.1.1 --- Burials and Activity Area --- p.48 / Chapter 3.1.2 --- Pottery --- p.49 / Chapter 3.1.3 --- Bronze Artifacts --- p.52 / Chapter 3.1.4 --- "Stone Artifacts: Tools, Slotted Rings" --- p.53 / Chapter 3.1.5 --- Axe Molds --- p.55 / Chapter 3.2 --- The Studied Pottery Sherds of Tai Wan --- p.56 / Chapter 3.2.1 --- The Double-F Potsherds of Father Finn's Collection --- p.56 / Chapter 3.2.2 --- Other Potsherds: the Lozenge-patterned --- p.68 / Chapter 3.3 --- Discussion: Inference on the Social Structure of Tai Wan --- p.74 / Chapter Chapter 4 --- "potsherds found in sha po new village, lamma island" --- p.80 / Chapter 4.1 --- Archaeological Data --- p.80 / Chapter 4.1.1 --- Features: Post-holes --- p.81 / Chapter 4.1.2 --- Pottery --- p.81 / Chapter 4.1.3 --- Stone and Bronze Artifacts --- p.84 / Chapter 4.2 --- The Studied Pottery Sherds of Sha Po New Village --- p.84 / Chapter 4.2.1 --- The Double-F Potsherds --- p.85 / Chapter 4.2.2 --- Other Potsherds: the Lozenge-patterned and the Cord-marked --- p.97 / Chapter 4.2.2.1 --- The Lozenge-patterned Pottery Sherds --- p.98 / Chapter 4.2.2.2 --- The Cord-marked Pottery Sherds --- p.107 / Chapter 4.3 --- Discussion: Inference on the Social Structure of Sha Po New Village --- p.109 / Chapter Chapter 5 --- "potsherds found in sha ha, sai kung" --- p.117 / Chapter 5.1 --- Archaeological Data --- p.118 / Chapter 5.1.1 --- "Features: Burials, Post-holes, Ritual Site, and Stone Tool Workshop" --- p.119 / Chapter 5.1.2 --- Pottery --- p.123 / Chapter 5.1.3 --- Stone and Bronze Artifacts --- p.126 / Chapter 5.2 --- The Studied Pottery Sherds of Sha Ha --- p.127 / Chapter 5.2.1 --- The Double-F Potsherds --- p.127 / Chapter 5.2.2 --- Other Potsherds: the Lozenge-patterned and the Cord-marked --- p.140 / Chapter 5.2.2.1 --- The Lozenge-patterned Pottery Sherds --- p.141 / Chapter 5.2.2.2 --- The Cord-marked Pottery Sherds --- p.146 / Chapter 5.3 --- Discussion: Inference on the Social Structure of Sha Ha --- p.150 / Chapter chapter 6 --- comparison and analysis --- p.166 / Chapter 6.1 --- "Similarities and Differences between the Double-F, the Lozenge-patterned, and the Cord-marked" --- p.166 / Chapter 6.2 --- Common Aspects and Differences Observed in the Double-F Styles and Manufacturing Technology --- p.168 / Chapter 6.3 --- The Intra-regional Comparison: Tai Wan vs. Sha Po New Village --- p.175 / Chapter 6.3.1 --- Skill Levels --- p.175 / Chapter 6.3.2 --- Coefficient of Variation and Individual Potsherd Comparison --- p.178 / Chapter 6.3.3 --- Cluster Analysis Results --- p.185 / Chapter 6.4 --- "The Inter-regional Comparison: Sha Ha, Sha Po New Village, and Tai Wan" --- p.187 / Chapter 6.4.1 --- Skill Levels --- p.187 / Chapter 6.4.2 --- Coefficient of Variation and Individual Potsherd Comparison --- p.189 / Chapter 6.4.3 --- Cluster Analysis Results --- p.197 / Chapter 6.5 --- Discussion: Pottery Production in Bronze Age Hong Kong --- p.201 / Chapter 6.6 --- Conclusion --- p.208 / Chapter Chapter 7 --- "special samples - inference on production, organization, and potters' skills" --- p.211 / Chapter 7.1 --- The Firing Technology --- p.211 / Chapter 7.2 --- "Difficulty in Applying the ""Perfect"" Double F: Overlaps" --- p.217 / Chapter 7.3 --- Apprenticeship? Experimentation? Trial and Error? --- p.221 / Chapter 7.4 --- Manufacturing Skills as Seen through Complete Vessels --- p.230 / Chapter 7.5 --- Conclusion --- p.234 / Chapter Chapter 8 --- conclusion： was there hierarchy? --- p.236 / Chapter 8.1 --- Society in the Bronze Age --- p.236 / Chapter 8.1.1 --- Subsistence Strategies --- p.237 / Chapter 8.1.2 --- Pottery Production --- p.238 / Chapter 8.1.3 --- Social Organization as Seen through Burials and Artifacts --- p.241 / Chapter 8.2 --- Remarks: the Social Structure of Bronze Age Hong Kong --- p.245 / Chapter 8.2.1 --- How Socially Significant was the Double-F --- p.244 / Chapter 8.2.2 --- There was Exchange but what about Trade? --- p.249 / Chapter 8.2.3 --- Was there Social Complexity in Bronze Age Hong Kong? --- p.250 / Chapter 8.2.4 --- Closing Thoughts --- p.255 / BIBLIOGRAPHY --- p.259

The mysterious Sea Peoples are groups thought to have entered the Orient towards the end of the Late Bronze Age time period. Their impact on the region was seemingly influential and one of the contributing factors leading to the decline of the societal status quo in the region leading up to 1200 BCE. Their origins, cultural identity and long term impact on the area are all factors which have been difficult and complex to research. The challenges with regard to these peoples and any research concentrated upon them include a definitive lack of physical evidence of their material culture, specifically in the northern regions thought to have been inhabited by them. Further south the situation differs slightly as the Philistines (thought to be a Sea Peoples group) did settle into a sophisticated society with material remains to prove it. In the north however, Sea Peoples are known to have settled but their impact is less clear but not necessarily non-existent in all regards. The Phoenicians as an Iron Age civilisation date back to the transitional period of 1200 BCE (Late Bronze Age to Early Iron Age) and have often been regarded as simply the cultural descendants of the Late Bronze Age Canaanites. This is true in many ways but in certain instances the Phoenicians achieved feats and undertook cultural practices that may diverge from this idea of complete continuity. In terms of maritime activity, the Phoenicians were able to accomplish feats never before seen in the region. The time period in which these maritime activities started to take place on such an expansive level corresponds with the settlement of northern Sea Peoples in Phoenicia and just outside its southern borders. Although the physical evidence regarding these Sea Peoples is by no means available in abundance, perhaps one can find their impact in the cultural makeup and actions of the Phoenicians. It may be plausible that groups of people that had such a significant influence on an area through their migrations, as the Sea Peoples did, could have had more long term influences on the occupants of the area than has been credited to them before. One possible manifestation of this influence may be the unique maritime character of the Phoenicians which can be compared with the Sea Peoples, who have not been given their name coincidentally. Their affinity to the sea is well known through textual and pictographic records and can in some instances be favourably paralleled with the Phoenicians. Ship design alterations going into the Phoenician age is possibly, at least in part, due to Sea Peoples influence. Furthermore the actual undertaking of Phoenician expansion across the sea and following early forms of maritime expansion which was, to a degree, unknown in the area before seems to have started in a time period contemporaneous with Sea Peoples settling in Canaan. Apart from the settlement in itself, these peoples did so after migrating en masse across the Mediterranean and this must surely be worthy of additional attention. The Sea Peoples’ constant affiliation with all things ship and sea orientated must add some impetus 9 to this argument. Any other similarities between the Sea Peoples and Phoenicians can also be used as an indicator of cultural mergence. Cultural and societal divergences uncovered between the Late Bronze Age and Early Iron Age inhabitants also may illuminate ideas of decisive outside influences after 1200 BCE. The primary thread of this research is dedicated to dealing with the possibilities mentioned and perhaps presenting alternative theories to those currently accepted. / Dissertation (MA)--University of Pretoria, 2014. / gm2014 / Ancient Languages / unrestricted

Depuis la découverte dans les années 1970 des premiers vestiges du IIème millénaire av. J.-C., cette période est considérée comme une phase d’effondrement des cultures préhistoriques de la péninsule omanaise. Appelés « période Wadi Suq » les trois premiers quarts du IIème millénaire av. J.-C. sont encore bien souvent perçus comme une période de Dark Ages faisant suite à la disparition de la culture Umm an-Nar du IIIème millénaire av. J.-C. Cette période se caractériserait par une diminution de la population, un abandon des sites et le retour à un mode de vie nomade. Pourtant les fouilles menées depuis une trentaine d’années, aussi bien dans les oasis du nord que le long du littoral au sud-est de la péninsule, ont livré les témoignages d’une culture plus complexe et sans doute moins hétéroclite qu’on ne l’envisage habituellement. Ces nouvelles données nous invitent à nuancer l’hypothèse d’un profond bouleversement entre les IIIème et IIème millénaires, de sorte qu’il est aujourd’hui nécessaire d’opérer une synthèse des connaissances sur la période afin de proposer de nouvelles approches des changements à la fois économiques, politiques et sociaux, survenus au cours du Bronze moyen et récent. / Since the discovery in the 1970s of the first remains of the second millennium BC, this period has been considered a collapse phase of the prehistoric cultures of the Oman peninsula. Called “Wadi Suq period” the first three quarts of the second millennium BC are still often seen as a period of Dark Ages following the disappearance of the Umm an-Nar culture of the 3rd millenium BC. This period has been characterized by a decline in the population, the sites abandonment and a return to a nomadic lifestyle. Yet, excavations conducte dover the last thirty years, both in the oases of the north and along the southeast coast of the peninsula, have yielded evidence of a more complex culture and probably less heterogeneous than it is usually envisaged. These new data invite us to reine the hypothesis of a major upheaval between the 3rd and the 2nd millennia BC, so it is now necessary to make a synthesis of current knowledge about the period in order to propose new approaches to economic, political and social changes that occurred during the Middle and Late Bronze Age.

This thesis presents the claimed Protovillanova pottery from Luni sul Mignone and San Giovenale through a typological study. The pottery from San Giovenale and Luni is then compared to Bronzo Finale, Bronzo Recente and Protovillanova pottery from various sites in central and northern Italy. The reason for the comparison is to establish if the pottery should be categorized as a cultural expression or to a certain time period. Included in this study is a discussion on whether the term Protovillanovan should be used or not and if it really describes cultural phenomenon active during the Bronze Age or if it describes the same phenomena of the Bronze Age but with a different name.

No description available.

Sheep and goat formed the foundation of pastoral activity across the Central Asian steppe through the Bronze Age. Theories of pastoral activity have assumed that flocks were uniform in association with ethnic groups that crossed the steppe with new ceramic forms and technologies. This study investigated differences between flocks of sheep and goat across the eastern Kazakh steppe in the Late and Final Bronze Age to elucidate the potential for animal exchange and mobility. Geometric morphometric techniques were applied to archaeological astragali from Ovis aries and Capra hircus. The methods for measurement and analysis were carefully developed to control only for inherited characteristics that relate to environmentally driven adaptations in the movement of the hind limb. Efficiency of movement in this limb is tied to survival and reproductive success of animals. Specimens were selected from three archaeological sites located in different ecozones across the steppe to maximize ecological variability. Geometric morphometric results revealed that flocks of sheep exhibited unique astragalus morphology, indicating that crossbreeding and exchange did not occur between sites. These sites were also subjected to full zooarchaeological analyses to investigate variability of economic subsistence patterns. The total number of species as well as investigations into survival and skeletal body part representation revealed that each site had unique subsistence patterns that were related to local ecological resource availability, despite material culture links. This variability in subsistence patterns and flock uniformity indicate that animal trade was not a feature of steppe networks. Local lifeways were specific to small patches of the steppe, despite overarching shared material cultures.