In the past 30 years, scholars have explored the role that individual goods played in the organization of Late Bronze Age (LBA)
political economies in Greece. The goods that are studied, however, are typically wealth items like perfumed oil. This dissertation
presents a new view of Mycenaean economic structures by introducing evidence from cooking ware vessels. Despite their ubiquitous nature,
cooking ware vessels are often overlooked by classical archaeologists because they lack the visual appeal that is characteristic of
decorated fine ware vessels. Previous scholarship on the topic of Mycenaean cooking wares is rare, though the work of scholars such as
Julie Hruby and Bartlomiej Lis have made great strides in aiding our understanding of these vessels. This dissertation serves as a remedy
for the scarcity of studies on cooking ware vessels and their significance in interpreting the political economies of Late Helladic (LH)
Greece. In particular, I focus on identifying the scope of palatial involvement that existed in the production, distribution, and
consumption of Mycenaean cooking pots throughout the Argolid and Corinthia. In order to investigate the importance of cooking ware vessels
in Mycenaean Greece I develop a conceptual framework that implements scientific analyses. This directly challenges the assumption that all
cooking ware vessels were utilitarian goods and, therefore, must have been produced by small-scale, independent workshops. To form my
model I use theoretical constructs established by Cathy Costin and Michael Galaty. These two scholars closely analyzed the characteristics
of different contexts of production, such as independent and attached workshops. My own model considers these hypotheses and builds upon
them, using several variables to determine how Mycenaean cooking ware vessels functioned in the political economy. These variables include
vessels’ use, the source of clay or rock fragments found within the vessels’ fabrics, and the quantities of cooking vessels found at the
site. Throughout this dissertation I examine the diachronic patterns of production and exchange of cooking ware vessels at five LBA sites
in the Argolid and Corinthia: Kalamianos, the East Alley deposit at Korakou, Petsas House at Mycenae, Stiri, and the ``Potter's Shop'' at
Zygouries. This includes analyzing the chronological and geographical distribution of specific cooking ware vessel fabrics and identifying
specific production techniques. These five sites represent different periods of occupation (short- to long-term), sizes of assemblages
(from small, domestic quantities to large stockpiles of ceramics), and types of study (survey and excavation). Patterns and trends are
identified using stylistic, macroscopic, petrographic, and chemical analyses on cooking ware. Stylistic studies of vessels made with this
ware type are uncommon, and in this dissertation I seek to develop a typology of shapes to encourage future study of these vessels.
Macroscopic analysis considers the aspects of cooking ware that can be recognized with the naked eye, assisting in identifications made in
museums and in the field. Petrographic and chemical analyses (specifically Neutron Activation Analysis) were used in order to refine the
information assembled through macroscopic study. The results of these analyses are then applied to my theoretical model in order to
identify the form of production and exchange of cooking ware vessels, in particular whether a workshop was attached to a palace or elite
group and if redistribution was a mode of exchange for these goods. This type of comprehensive, interdisciplinary, and multi-step approach
to these vessels is rare among Mycenaean cooking ware vessel studies. Using the conceptual framework that I developed for this project, I
was able to conclude that the fabric, shape, and use of cooking ware vessels are, in fact, important indicators of different economic and
political situations in Mycenaean Greece, especially when such vessels are used in elite feasting events. I argue that these vessels were
transformed into politically charged goods when they were used in such occasions, which are important events that serve a pivotal role in
creating social and political alliances, conveying relationships of indebtedness, and generating wealth, prestige, and power. Through this
study it is apparent large quantities of specialized cooking vessels attest to the interest elites had in acquiring these vessels (perhaps
through taxation methods, rather than redistribution). These institutions, however, were not concerned with controlling their production.
Furthermore, I argue that my model serves as an effective method for reaching these conclusions, emphasizing the potential cooking ware
vessels have for identifying the strategies used by elite members of Mycenaean society as they gained and maintained control over their
political, economic, and social world. / A Dissertation submitted to the Department of Classics in partial fulfillment of the requirements for
the degree of Doctor of Philosophy. / Fall Semester 2016. / October 21, 2016. / ceramic analysis, cooking vessels, Mycenaean civilization, neutron activation analysis, petrographic
analysis, political economy / Includes bibliographical references. / Daniel J. Pullen, Professor Directing Dissertation; Leroy Odom, University Representative; Nancy
De Grummond, Committee Member; Christopher Pfaff, Committee Member; Kim Shelton, Committee Member; Thomas J. Tartaron, Committee
Member.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:fsu.edu/oai:fsu.digital.flvc.org:fsu_405690 |
| Contributors | Trusty, Debra A. (Debra Ann) (authoraut), Pullen, Daniel J., 1954- (professor directing dissertation), Odom, A. L. (A. Leroy) (university representative), De Grummond, Nancy Thomson (committee member), Pfaff, Christopher A. (committee member), Shelton, Kim S. (committee member), Tartaron, Thomas F. (committee member), Florida State University (degree granting institution), College of Arts and Sciences (degree granting college), Department of Classics (degree granting departmentdgg) |
| Publisher | Florida State University, Florida State University |
| Source Sets | Florida State University |
| Language | English, English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Text, text |
| Format | 1 online resource (757 pages), computer, application/pdf |
| Rights | This Item is protected by copyright and/or related rights. You are free to use this Item in any way that is permitted by the copyright and related rights legislation that applies to your use. For other uses you need to obtain permission from the rights-holder(s). The copyright in theses and dissertations completed at Florida State University is held by the students who author them. |
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