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Changes in the economic and administrative organization of Crete in the Late Minoan II–III period: a new proposal1

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  27 September 2013

Nikos Merousis
Nikos Merousis
Affiliation:
Veroia, Greece
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Abstract

Following the destruction of Minoan palaces in LM I B, a new social reality emerged in Crete. Important economic and administrative changes occurred over a period of 250 years (LM II–III). Originally, a strictly centralized system was imposed by Knossos with the aim of securing authority over part of the island in LM II–III A 1. Later, in LMIII A 2 the economic and administrative system appears to have changed. This new system was decentralized and based on regional centres. Knossos was at the summit, a few powerful regional centres were subjects to the palace. In the LM III B period, after the final destruction of the palace of Knossos, the scene changes again. The economic system rested on independent regional centres of greater or smaller economic impact, which were scattered all over the island. The most important of these centres was undoubtedly Chania.

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Articles
Information
Annual of the British School at Athens , Volume 97 , November 2002 , pp. 163 - 169
Copyright
Copyright © The Council, British School at Athens 2002

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References

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49 Merousis, 65–7, providing further bibliography.