Necklace of beads of semiprecious stones



Necklace of beads of semiprecious stones

Σ-Κ239
Stone
Intact
Length: 57 cm.
Phaistos
Kalyvia
Late Bronze Age. Final Palatial period, Late Minoan ΙΙΙΑ1- IIIA2 early.:
1400-1350 BC:
Gallery:
X
Exhibition thematic unit:
Late Bronze Age - Neopalatial period (1700-1450 BC) - Final Palatial period (1450-1300 BC).The cemeteries
Cemeteries of Phaistos
Description
Necklace of 41 incised spherical beads made of the semiprecious gemstone carnelian, a variety of chalcedony. Carnelian probably began to be imported to Crete in the Prepalatial period, as evidenced by finds from the cemetery of Mochlos. However, the largest concentration of carnelian beads and seals is observed in the Late Minoan period (1600 - c. 1200 BC). The cemetery of Kalyvia in Phaistos, from which this necklace comes, stands out because it was found to contain the highest known number of carnelian and amethyst beads (e.g. necklace ΣΚ250). It should be noted that in Late Minoan IIIA, male burials in Crete were usually accompanied by weapons of various types, bronze vessels and pottery, while female burials are generally distinguished by their jewellery.
Bibliography:
Effinger, M. Minoischer Schmuck. BAR IS 646. Oxford, 1996, 227, pl. 95a. Pieni??ek, Μ. "Amber and Carnelian: Two Different Careers in the Aegean Bronze Age." Fontes Archaeologici Posnanienses (52) 2016: 51-65.
Author:
G. F.


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