The death of collective tombs in Middle Bronze Age Crete

New evidence from Sissi

Bibliographic Data

ID3269639
AuthorsSylviane Déderix (0000-0003-4041-303X, University of the Aegean, corresponding author), A Schmitt (0000-0002-8382-6267, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique), Ilaria Caloi (0000-0002-4342-2161, Ca' Foscari University of Venice)
Year2025
Volume99
Issue405
Pages727-745
Publication date2025-06-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueAntiquity (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0003-598X • E-ISSN: 1745-1744
PublisherAntiquity Publications (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.15184/aqy.2025.38
OpenAlexW4409208387
LanguageEN
References cited18

The abandonment of collective tombs in Middle Bronze Age Crete testifies to substantial transformations in funerary, ritual and social practices on the island. Yet, the processes and timing of this abandonment were not uniform, and each cemetery can potentially offer new insights. While some collective tombs fell gradually into disuse, others were deliberately and ritually terminated. Here, the authors explore the cemetery at Sissi, where gradual abandonment in some areas contrasts with the ultimate demolition and burial of tombs in Zone 9 during a ceremony that marked a major shift in the social history of the associated community

Ancient history · Archaeology · Bronze Age · Ancient Egypt and Archaeology · Ancient Mediterranean Archaeology and History · Archaeology and ancient environmental studies · History

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