Breadcrumbs of Minoan Ritual: Food and Symbolism within the Socio-Religious Landscape of Bronze Age Crete
Year: 2026
Type: article
Abstract: Recent archaeobotanical research has confirmed that plant foods played a role in ritual activity at cemetery, sanctuary and shrine sites of Bronze Age (Minoan) Crete.In addition to macrobotanical material (seeds, grains, fruits and nuts), pieces of prepared cereal products were also present, which were identified via scanning electron microscopy (SEM).By considering archaeological artefacts, iconographic images and textual records alongside the archaeobotanical evidence, this paper fully explores the use of plant foods for Minoan ritual purposes and their potential symbolic meaning in such contexts.The choice to utilize everyday plant food staples in ritual settings (i.e.commonly consumed fruit, nut, cereal and legume taxa), suggests an intersection of the sacred and the quotidian within Minoan society.
Source: Apollo (University of Cambridge)
DOI: 10.17863/cam.129162
Authors: Henkel, Carly, Margaritis, Evi
Language: English
Subfield: Paleontology
Field: Earth and Planetary Sciences
Domain: Physical Sciences
SDG: Zero hunger
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W7151538099
FWCI:
Cites:
Cited by:
Related to: