The Creative Independence of Late Bronze Age Cyprus
An Account of the Archaeological Importance of White Slip Ware
by Kathryn O. Eriksson
This volume attempts to present a comprehensive account of the historical developments in Cyprus during the period of the production of White Slip Wares (ca 1580-1180 BC). Using the Kitchen chronology for the Egyptian New Kingdom, which commenced in 1540 BC, the study emphasizes the importance of archaeological records and how context analysis allows more precision in a relative chronology. This period witnessed the emergence of Cyprus into the political and economic interaction of the East Mediterranean. With special focus on White Slip pottery, the historical events outlined herein demonstrate the growth of Cyprus into a vibrant, independent society from the early 16th century BC into the 12th century BC. Throughout this period, Cyprus developed trade, cultural as well as “diplomatic” relations with the most powerful kingdoms of the surrounding area. A focal point of the study is the role of Cypriot wares – especially White Slip, Base-ring and Red Lustrous Wheel-made – on the island itself as well as in other places. A major role is given to White Slip as it is considered a chronological beacon in the analysis of events during the Late Bronze Age, a time when there are few historical references to the island and its people. Comprising eight chapters, this comprehensive analysis of Cyprus’s material culture is accompanied by a historical account in which the period in Cyprus from 1580-1180 BC is divided into seven chronological periods based on Astrom’s original chronology. The comprehensive historical discussion in Chapter VII seeks to depict the interactions between Cyprus and the surrounding cultures during this period. The interpretation of the evidence shows that the island’s leaders were skilful in achieving a balance between the interests of these various civilizations, which included the Minoan and Mycenaean from the Aegean, the Canaanite groups, the Hittite Empire, and of course the Egyptians. The evidence shows that independent Late Bronze Age Cyprus established extensive trade and diplomatic links with these societies – notwithstanding the various conflicts among them. The Cypriots managed this within the complex and changing interrelationships between the empires during these very turbulent times. In so doing, Late Bronze Age Cyprus managed to develop the creative skills of its people – this especially reflected in the wide range of its ceramic wares (such as White Slip) as well as their extensive production and distribution to many lands.
- By (author) Kathryn O Eriksson
Other Titles in this Series
Sea Peoples’ Up-to-Date
New Research on Transformation in the Eastern Mediterranean in 13th-11th Centuries BCE
Volume 81
Similar Books
Caesar’s Visions and Impact on the Roman Empire
Revisiting the Archaeological and Historical Record of the 40s BC
Volume 2
Etruscan and Roman Hellenistic Anatomical ex votos
Reassessing Popular Religious Expressions in Central Italy
Volume 8
Invisible Labour in Antiquity
Visualizing Obscure Work in the Ancient Mediterannean and West Asia
Volume 1
Alexander the Great and the Campaign of Gaugamela
New Research on Topography and Chronology. IAMNI 1 (Italian Archaeological Mission to Northern Iraq)
Volume 53
Ceramic Finds in Context (Roman to Early Islamic Times)
Final Publications from the Danish-German Jerash Northwest Quarter Project VII
Volume 13
Citizenship Practised, Citizenship Imagined
Multiple Ways of Experiencing Citizenship in the Greek World
Counterfeits, Imitations, and Copies of Roman Imperial Denarii
Making and Faking Coins on Both Sides of the Limes
Volume 8
Eating and Drinking along Ancient Roads and Rivers: Study Opportunities, Archaeological Sources and Open Issues about Diet Habits
Roads and Rivers 3
Explorations in Islamic Archaeology
Material Culture, Settlements, and Landscapes from the Mediterranean to Western Asia
Volume 7
From the Adriatic to the Alps: Transport and Trade Networks in Roman and Late Antique Northern Italy
Germania 101 (2023)
Anzeiger der Romisch-Germanischen Kommission des Deutschen Archaologischen Instituts
Volume 101
Harbours of the Aegean in Late Antiquity and the Medieval Period
Thessaly, Maritime Connectivity, and the Eastern Mediterranean Seascape
La collezione Banfi presso il castello di Poggio alle Mura a Montalcino (Si) 1 / The Banfi Collection at Castello Di Poggio alle Mura in Montalcino (Si) 1
Catalogo dei materiali archeologici dalle ex collezioni Placidi, Lovatelli e Cambi
La scultura preromana in area centro-italica
Problemi archeologici, tecnologici ed epigrafici del terzo millennio