A Cycladic Perspective on Mycenaean Long-Distance Exchanges

Abstract

Recent discussions of Mycenaean long-distance exchanges with the ‘East’ have focused on the goods exchanged, their means of production and shipment, and their significance for consumers. Despite voluminous research on these topics, consideration of Mycenaean long-distance exchanges with the eastern Mediterranean vis-à-vis the Cycladic islands during the Palatial Period has been minimal. Diachronic examination of the Late Bronze Age archaeological evidence from the Cyclades reveals the absence of certain defining aspects of Mycenaean palatial society. Missing, or at least not present to the extent seen before (and sometimes after) this period, are figured frescoes, sealings and seals, balance weights, inscriptions and imports from the Near East. Considered within the framework of ‘negative archaeology’, these objects are conspicuously absent from the Cyclades. When seen through the lens of the Mycenaean political economy, these absences shed light on the nature of Mycenaean long-distance exchanges and the place of Cycladic islanders in the Mycenaean world. Based upon this evidence, I propose that objects and absences alike served to integrate islanders into
 the Mycenaean culture of the Palatial Period, which in turn effectively excluded the Cyclades from participation in long-distance exchange networks. A model of directional Mycenaean long-distance exchanges that takes into account the negative evidence from the Cyclades is proposed.

Viruses as archaeological tools for uncovering ancient molecular relationships

“…Some of the examples described above pave the way to employing a third archaeological concept, referred to as “negative archaeology.” In general, negative archaeology studies find a meaning for what is absent 87,88 : what did not happen; what did happen but was rendered undetectable 89 ; what will not occur again 88 ; and the ignored body of data, 89 among other options. It is a matter of identifying, locating, and manifesting some sort of silent evidence of past history.…”