Navigation – Plan du site

AccueilNuméros12Developing an Inclusive Framework...

Developing an Inclusive Framework for Research on Minoan Peak Sanctuary Anthropomorphic Figurines

Céline Murphy

Entrées d’index

Haut de page

Texte intégral

1Currently under completion as a doctoral thesis (University of Kent), this study investigates the benefits of applying a multifaceted and holistic framework to research on Minoan peak sanctuary anthropomorphic figurines. Stemming from an interest in these artefacts’ material properties it seeks to reconcile some too frequently divided or opposed theoretical and methodological aspects of this field. The intention is to more deeply explore some of the material processes these figurines underwent throughout the different stages of their ‘lives’ and ponder the multiple biographies these objects might have had throughout different periods.

  • 1 See e.g. Faure 1969; Rutkowski 1986.
  • 2 See e.g. Jones 1999; Kyriakidis 2005; Briault 2007.
  • 3 See e.g. Myres 1902/3; Rutkowski 1991; Morris, Peatfield 2012.

2Dating to the palatial periods of Minoan Crete (2nd millennium BCE), Minoan peak sanctuary anthropomorphic figurines have been attested by the thousands in a fragmentary condition at mountain sites throughout the island1. Usually accompanied by zoomorphic figurines and cooking and drinking vessels, these objects are associated to ritual practices2. The prevalent interpretation is that they were disposable offerings representing adorants dedicated for communion with the transcendent3. Made of clay, they measure on average between 8 cm and 20 cm in height and perform a variety of hand gestures. Both male and female examples have been attested. The figurines’ clothing, characterised by belts and daggers for the males and bell-skirts and hats for the females often serve to determine gender.

3It is remarkable that, despite the wealth of information about manufacture, material sourcing, craft specialisation, firing, breakage and consumption patterns offered by these fragmentary anthropomorphs, their appearance has been the object of most investigations to date. Employing the anthropomorphic figurines from Gonies-Philioremos as a case-study (under the supervision of E. Kyriakidis), however, this thesis asks some new questions of these artefacts, namely related to the conditions under which they were produced and consumed. Investigations include considerations of the impact of the material and the environment on human actions, of the levels of the knowledge and experience required to successfully negotiate with the raw material, and of the nature of agent relationships these material and human encounters might have generated.

4The methodological framework developed to address this topic consists of an amalgamation of some previous approaches to peak sanctuary anthropomorphic figurines and some other methods evidenced in other prehistoric figurine studies. Building predominantly upon an experimental model, which allows for multi-sensory engagements with the artefacts, materials and the environments in which the artefacts were produced and consumed, this new framework allows the investigator to acknowledge and experience the influence of elements other than the human agent’s decisions. For example, through direct engagement with clay, it becomes possible to understand that the manufacturer maintained a very specific relationship with the material, which in turn dictated the performance of certain movements on the part of the maker. In adopting this approach, this project aims to shift the predominantly anthropocentric character of research to Minoan peak sanctuary anthropomorphic figurines. It seeks to reinstate the importance of materials and surroundings which are all too often overlooked in this field.

Fig. 1–Philioremos anthropomorphic figurines

Fig. 1–Philioremos anthropomorphic figurines

Photo: Courtesy of E. Kyriakidis

Haut de page

Bibliographie

Briault, C., “Making mountains out of molehills in the Aegean Bronze Age : visibility, ritual kits and the idea of peak sanctuary,” World Archaeology 39.1 (2007), pp. 122–2141.

Faure P., “Sur trois sortes de sanctuaires cretois”, Bulletin de Correspondance Hellénique 93.1 (1969), pp.174-213.

Jones, D., Peak Sanctuaries and Sacred Caves in Minoan Crete : A Comparison of Artifacts, Jonsered (1999).

Kyriakidis, E., Ritual in the Bronze Age Aegean. The Minoan Peak Sanctuaries, London (2005).

Morris, C., A. Peatfield, “Dynamic spirituality on Minoan peak sanctuaries”, in K. Roundtree, C. Morris, A. Peatfield, Archaeology of Spiritualities, New York (2012), pp. 227–2245.

Myres J., “The sanctuary site of Petsofa”, Annual of the British School at Athens 9 (1902/3), pp.356-387.

Rutkowski, B., The Cult Places of the Aegean, New Haven (1986).

Rutkowski, B., Petsophas : A Cretan Peak Sanctuary. Warsaw (1991).

Haut de page

Notes

1 See e.g. Faure 1969; Rutkowski 1986.

2 See e.g. Jones 1999; Kyriakidis 2005; Briault 2007.

3 See e.g. Myres 1902/3; Rutkowski 1991; Morris, Peatfield 2012.

Haut de page

Table des illustrations

Titre Fig. 1–Philioremos anthropomorphic figurines
Crédits Photo: Courtesy of E. Kyriakidis
URL http://journals.openedition.org/acost/docannexe/image/215/img-1.jpg
Fichier image/jpeg, 1,3M
Haut de page

Pour citer cet article

Référence électronique

Céline Murphy, « Developing an Inclusive Framework for Research on Minoan Peak Sanctuary Anthropomorphic Figurines »Les Carnets de l’ACoSt [En ligne], 12 | 2014, mis en ligne le 12 mars 2015, consulté le 28 mars 2024. URL : http://journals.openedition.org/acost/215 ; DOI : https://doi.org/10.4000/acost.215

Haut de page

Auteur

Céline Murphy

University of Kent
cm293@kent.ac.uk

Articles du même auteur

Haut de page

Droits d’auteur

CC-BY-NC-ND-4.0

Le texte seul est utilisable sous licence CC BY-NC-ND 4.0. Les autres éléments (illustrations, fichiers annexes importés) sont « Tous droits réservés », sauf mention contraire.

Haut de page
Rechercher dans OpenEdition Search

Vous allez être redirigé vers OpenEdition Search