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Document Details : Title: Early Signs of Mycenaean Craftsmen's Innovation or Initiative Subtitle: The Unexpected Results of Geometric Morphometric Analysis on the Shaft Grave Bronze Swords of Mycenae Author(s): BROWN, David C.M. Journal: Pharos Volume: 25 Date: 2021-2023 Pages: 1-74 DOI: 10.2143/PHA.25.0.3293418 Abstract : This study examines the two dominant sword types (Type A and Type B) found in Shaft Grave Circles A and B at the Late Bronze Age (c. 1600-1100 BCE) site of Mycenae. The primary aim is to re-evaluate the typological definition of these sword types through geometric morphometric analysis, in order to arrive at clearer typological definitions. Geometric morphometric analysis is a computer multi-variate analysis, which has never been used to analyse the typology of Greek swords. The analysis reveals that the Type A sword corpus is extremely heterogeneous, with high levels of variation and individuality between individual examples. The results for Type B, by contrast, reveal multiple groups of similarity that could represent innovation by local craftsmen who were adapting Type A technology. These groups suggest an evolution of design from Type A to the final Type B sword, adapting to the demands of social elites who used these implements and the distinct functions these two sword types fulfilled in Minoan and Mycenaean society. |
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