Mortuary differentiation and social structure in the Middle Helladic Argolid, 2000-1500 B.C.

In this volume the archaeological, anthropological and radiocarbon data from selected sites of the Middle Helladic period are integrated to determine if there was variation between individual burials, groupings and cemeteries and to reconstruct change through time. This work was done for selective Argive sites, namely Lerna, Asine an

Until recently, the Middle Helladic period was described as homogeneous and static. However, recent research has shown regional variability, early changes and more complexity. In Mortuary differentiation and social structure in the Middle Helladic Argolid, 2000-1500 B.C. the archaeological, anthropological and radiocarbon data from selected sites are integrated to determine if there was variation between individual burials, groupings and cemeteries and to reconstruct change through time. This work was done for selective Argive sites, namely Lerna, Asine and Aspis. The analysis has shown that in all cemeteries and through time kinship was the most important structuring principle, and age position in the kin network the most important component. Differentiation was not only observed within each burial place, but also between sites during the same period. Generally, a steady ‘scaling up’ can be observed, but it did not affect all sites in the same way. Changes were already underway at the beginning of the period but became intensified towards its end.

Preface Introduction Chapter 1: Lerna-Myloi Lerna: Introduction Lerna: The cemetery Lerna: Grave analysis Lerna: The finds Myloi: Introduction Myloi: The cemetery Myloi: Grave analysis Myloi: The finds Lerna and Myloi: Concluding discussion Chapter 2: Asine Asine: Introduction Kastraki: The cemetery Kastraki: Grave analysis Kastraki: The finds Kastraki: Concluding discussion East cemetery (Tumulus IQ): The cemetery East cemetery: Grave analysis East cemetery: Concluding discussion Barbouna: The cemetery Barbouna: Grave analysis Barboyna: The finds Barbouna: Concluding discussion Change through time 259 Asine: Inter-cemetery analysis Chapter 3: The Aspis in Argos The Aspis: Introduction The Aspis: The cemetery The Aspis: Grave analysis The Aspis: The finds The Aspis: Concluding discussion Chapter 4: Summary and conclusions Lerna and Myloi: Summary Asine: Summary The Aspis in Argos: Summary Conclusions Appendix I: Lerna V: Stray human bones found among the animal bone samples Appendix II: Lerna: Arm position of contracted skeletons Appendix III: Lerna: Body orientation Appendix IV: Lerna: Composition of the grave finds assemblage Appendix V: Lerna: Non-pottery finds correlations Appendix VI: List of graves References, Preface Introduction Chapter 1: Lerna-Myloi Lerna: Introduction ;
Lerna: The cemetery ;
Lerna: Grave analysis ;
Lerna: The finds ;
Myloi: Introduction ;
Myloi: The cemetery ;
Myloi: Grave analysis ;
Myloi: The finds ;
Lerna and Myloi: Concluding discussion ;
Chapter 2: Asine Asine: Introduction ;
Kastraki: The cemetery ;
Kastraki: Grave analysis ;
Kastraki: The finds ;
Kastraki: Concluding discussion ;
East cemetery (Tumulus IQ): The cemetery ;
East cemetery: Grave analysis ;
East cemetery: Concluding discussion ;
Barbouna: The cemetery ;
Barbouna: Grave analysis ;
Barboyna: The finds ;
Barbouna: Concluding discussion ;
Change through time259 ;
Asine: Inter-cemetery analysis ;
Chapter 3: The Aspis in Argos The Aspis: Introduction ;
The Aspis: The cemetery ;
The Aspis: Grave analysis ;
The Aspis: The finds ;
The Aspis: Concluding discussion ;
Chapter 4: Summary and conclusions Lerna and Myloi: Summary ;
Asine: Summary ;
The Aspis in Argos: Summary ;
Conclusions ;
Appendix I: Lerna V: Stray human bones found among the animal bone samples Appendix II: Lerna: Arm position of contracted skeletons Appendix III: Lerna: Body orientation Appendix IV: Lerna: Composition of the grave finds assemblage Appendix V: Lerna: Non-pottery finds correlations Appendix VI: List of graves References