Work

Colour-Coding Aegean Elites: Status and Cultural Identities in Linear B Dyed Textiles and Late Bronze Age Socio-Political Changes

Year: 2024

Type: article

Abstract: This paper analyses the dyed textiles that are recorded in Linear B tablets and explores their role within the changes that the Late Bronze Age Aegean socio-cultural and economic scenario underwent. Additionally, it addresses how Aegean elites visually conveyed cultural messages on power and identities through colours and coloured textiles. As such, this paper (i) hypothesises new associations between red-dyed textiles, the chronology of Linear B tablets from Knossos, and the socio-political and cultural development of the Late Bronze Age; (ii) contributes new insights into the cultivation of plants producing red dyes throughout the period of the Knossos tablets use; (iii) challenges the interpretation of terms referring to the red natural colour of the wool; (iv) critically reviews the interpretation of terms referring to the grey natural colour of the wool; (v) hypothesises a new interpretation of how green-dyed textiles were obtained.

Source: Journal of Ancient Near Eastern History

DOI: 10.1515/janeh-2024-0019

Author: Rachele Pierini

Institution: University of Copenhagen

Language: English

Topic: Ancient Mediterranean Archaeology and History

Subfield: Archeology

Field: Arts and Humanities

Domain: Social Sciences

Open Access status: green

Funder: European Commission

Award: Transformational uses of dye Plants on Linear B tablets. New approaches to cultural identity and technologies in the Bronze Age Aegean