Ritual Practice between the Late Bronze Age and Protogeometric Periods of Greece

The study of Greek ritual practice throughout the LH III B to Protogeometric periods is the central theme of this research. Chapter Two acknowledges the work of previous Aegean archaeologists and their methods for classification of the features which should be present in order for a site to be categorised as cultic in nature. The chapter goes one step further with the creation of new criteria specifically adapted to be relevant to all types of sanctuaries, be they palatial cult centres, settlement shrines, or isolated open-air shrines throughout the period. Chapter Three is a Site Gazetteer and begins firstly by introducing a scoring system which allows each site to be placed in one of the categories of 'possible', 'probable' or 'proposed' cult sites. Chapter Four considers both the allocation of space immediately within and outside the shrine buildings, as well as taking into account the location and setting of the shrine within its wider surroundings and environment. Chapter Five examines the type of votive offerings that are dedicated at shrines throughout the period in question. In addition, the areas at which the offerings are found along with their built features are identified and discussed. Chapter six is reserved for Ritual Actions throughout the period of study. The closing chapter is initially separated into three sections to clearly highlight the main findings of the research; these fall into the categories of A Systematic Methodology, Shrine Surroundings through time, and Ritual Practice through time. After which a short section is dedicated to the Characteristics of Society through time, to compare the sacred and secular spheres alongside, and attempt to understand what changes may have occurred in society, by the analysis of the shrine areas.