Minoan Glyptic: Typology, Deposits and Iconography

Description

This study of Minoan glyptic focuses on the typology of seals, their iconography and their religious significance. It examines the use of seals and the importance of sealing systems in Minoan Crete; the pre-Minoan background of seal production; the development of iconography in the Prepalatial, Protopalatial and Neopalatial glyptic, with emphasis on the variety of materials and the development of engraving techniques; the appearance and development of metal signet ring types in the Neopalatial period; the chronological sequence and iconography of several deposits with sealings; the importance of Minoan sealing deposits, with conclusions about Minoan religion; a reevaluation of Minoan ritual action as represented in glyptic iconography; and an examination of human and divine figures in Minoan ritual iconography. The typology of the Late Minoan glyptic iconography according to its most important and representative religious and decorative elements is also tabulated and catalogued.