Exchanging the Mycenaean Economy

Dados Bibliográficos

ID4540134
AutoresDaniel J Pullen, Daniel Pullen (0000-0002-3911-9645, Florida State University, autor correspondente)
Ano2013
Volume117
Fascículo3
Páginas437-445
Data de publicação2013-07-01
Peer ReviewedSim
Open AccessNão
TipoARTICLE
PeriódicoAmerican Journal of Archaeology (JOURNAL)
Identificadores do periódicoISSN: 0002-9114 • E-ISSN: 1939-828X
EditoraUniversity of Chicago Press (PUBLISHER • US)
DOI10.3764/aja.117.3.0437
OpenAlexW2611441838
IdiomaEN
Citações recebidas12
Referências citadas14

This article examines the palatial and nonpalatial organization of craft production and exchange in the Late Bronze Age Argolid. The Late Bronze Age elites controlled markers of status and prestige, which were institutionalized in palatial control of the production and consumption of prestige goods. At Mycenae, the existence of attached ceramic workshops is evidence for palatial interest in the production and distribution of a wider range of ceramics than existed at the palace at Pylos, which was interested only in kylikes. Communities in Mycenae’s territory, such as Tsoungiza, used ceramic assemblages nearly identical to those of the palatial elites. Given the quantities of ceramic vessels needed annually to supply the entire polity, it is unlikely that these were allocated via mechanisms of palatial control. Instead, we must consider multiple mechanisms of distribution in addition to redistribution, including market exchange. Likewise, we must consider one individual to be engaged in transactions both with the palace (redistribution, tax payments) and with the surrounding communities (reciprocity and market exchange). Markets serve to horizontally integrate households in a community or region and to vertically integrate those households with the center. Other evidence for market exchange, such as weights and measures and the road network, is explored.Join the discussion at http://www.ajaonline.org/forum/1554

Archaeology · Bronze Age · Consumption (sociology) · Craft · Economics · Economy · Political science · Politics · Polity · Prehistory · Prestige · Redistribution (election) · Social science · Sociology · State (computer science) · Stateless protocol · Ancient Near East History · Classical Antiquity Studies · History · Law · Law, logistics, and international trade