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Abstract:
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This dissertation examines the archaeological and textual evidence for religion at the site of Knossos during the Mycenaean phases of administration (LM II -LM IIIB1 ) . Several methodological issues in the nature of the evidence are addressed . The Linear B documents , due to their economic nature , offer limited information about religion . Moreover , the tablets from Knossos belong to at least two different phases of administration . The archaeological evidence for the different phases of cult use is often difficult to assess given the continued use of the palace over an extended period of time . To address these issues , the evidence from Knossos is divided into two temporal phases so that the textual evidence can be closely examined alongside its contemporary archaeological evidence for cult . This process has allowed for a more accurate view of the religion at Knossos in the Late Bronze Age .
An evolution in the religious beliefs and practices are evident in the material culture . The presence of Indo -European divinities into the Knossian pantheon by the newly -installed Greek -speaking elite population is apparent from the outset , while previous Minoan style shrines continue to be used . In the later phase , numerous Minoan divinities are included in ritual offerings , while some Greek divinities are now given local epithets . Also at this time , Minoan shrine types gradually go out of use , whereas bench sanctuaries (a shrine type common to both Minoans and Mycenaeans ) become the norm . The overall nature of Mycenaean religious assemblages at Knossos represents a unique blend of both Minoan and Mycenaean religious beliefs and practices . |